The SH2 and SH3 adapter Nck: a two-gene family and a linker between tyrosine kinases and multiple signaling networks

Authors

  • Wei Li
  • H. She

Keywords:

src-homology domains, adapters, tyrosine kinases, signal transduction

Abstract

SH2 and SH3 adapter proteins connect cell surface tyrosine kinases to intracellular signaling networks. For instance, the SH3-SH2-SH3 adapter Grb2 links receptor tyrosine kinases to the Ras pathway. Nck, composed of three SH3 domains and one SH2 domain, represents a two-gene (alpha and beta) family in mammals. Ncka and NckB are expressed in the same cells and appear to have distinct signaling specificity. Studies show that Nck plays a role in cell mitogenesis and morphogenesis. The former uses Ras-dependent and Ras-independent pathways. The latter appears to coordinate with the Cdc42/Rac>PAKl/WASp>actin cytoskeleton pathway. Understanding the specificity of Ncka and NckB signal transduction will provide answers for the previously often conflicting observations.

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Invited Reviews