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Published on: September 19, 2018
Functional aspects of a tyrosine kinase encoding protooncogene, the c-src gene
1University of Münster, Dept. Exp. Tumorbiology, Germany.
Abstract:
To date the src gene family consists of at least 9 closely related protein tyrosine kinases belonging to the non-receptor type of kinases: c-src, c-yes, c-fgr, fyn, lyn, lck, hck, tkl and bkl. We have intensively studied the expression of the c-src gene during evolution and with respect to its possible functions in the processes of cellular differentiation and proliferation. From our results we conclude, that the c-src encoded tyrosine kinase could play a role in the development and/or maintenance of the multicellular organisation of primitive organisms like sponges or coelenterates. With respect to its tissue-specific expression pattern with neuronal cells always displaying elevated levels of pp60c-src and the observation that synaptophysin, the major constituent of the synaptic vesicle membrane protein, is phosphorylated by the c-src encoded tyrosinekinase in vitro and in intact synaptic vesicles, we suggest an essential role for pp60c-src in signal transduction pathways and/or axonal transport mechanisms in neurons.
Insights
The c-src tyrosine kinase is crucial for multicellular organization in primitive organisms. It also plays a vital role in neuronal signal transduction and axonal transport in more complex life.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The src gene family comprises non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases.
- The c-src gene product, pp60c-src, is a key kinase studied for its diverse roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the evolutionary expression of the c-src gene.
- Elucidate the function of c-src in cellular differentiation and proliferation.
- Determine the role of c-src in primitive multicellular organisms and neuronal functions.
Main Methods:
- Studied c-src gene expression across different evolutionary stages.
- Examined tissue-specific expression patterns, focusing on neuronal cells.
- Investigated the phosphorylation of synaptophysin by c-src in vitro and in synaptic vesicles.
Main Results:
- c-src tyrosine kinase may be involved in the development and maintenance of multicellularity in primitive organisms.
- Elevated pp60c-src levels were observed in neuronal cells.
- Synaptophysin, a synaptic vesicle protein, is phosphorylated by c-src.
Conclusions:
- The c-src tyrosine kinase is implicated in the evolution of multicellularity.
- pp60c-src is essential for neuronal signal transduction and/or axonal transport mechanisms.
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