Interactions of TCR tyrosine based activation motifs with tyrosine kinases

The tyrosine activating motif (TAM) is a conserved signaling motif present in many hematopoietic receptors. Although the exact definition and the function of these motifs is not known, it is likely that these motifs bind and activate protein tyrosine kinases. Here we summarize the data regarding tyrosine kinase interactions with the T cell receptor TAMs and integrate much of the information into a functional and testable model. We propose that phosphorylated TAMs are important for the activation of tyrosine kinases as well as for the recruitment of critical signaling molecules.