Lck Background Information
Src is the human homolog of the v-Src gene of the Rous sarcoma virus, also known as avian sarcoma virus, or ASV. Src was the first proto-oncogenic, non-receptor tyrosine kinase characterized in human. By virtue of common structural motifs, the Src family is composed of nine members in vertebrates, including Src, Yes, Fgr, Frk, Fyn, Lyn, Hck, Lck and Blk. Src family kinases transduce signals that are involved in the control of a variety of cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, motility and adhesion. Src family kinases contain an amino terminal cell membrane anchor, followed by an SH3 domain and an SH2 domain that are involved in modular association and activation, respectively. Src family kinases are normally maintained in an inactive state and can be activated transiently during cellular events such as mitosis. Different subcellular localizations of Src family kinases may be important for the regulation of specific cellular processes, such as mitogenesis, cytoskeletal organization and membrane trafficking. The Fyn and Lck Src family tyrosine kinases play a key role in T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling. The human Lck gene maps to chromosome 1p35.1 and encodes a 509 amino acid protein.
