Redox regulation of a protein tyrosine kinase in the endoplasmic reticulum
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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

EPR Monitored Redox Titration of the Cofactors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nar1
Published on: November 26, 2014
A R Bauskin1, I Alkalay, Y Ben-Neriah
1Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
The mouse Ltk protein tyrosine kinase is unusually located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Its activity is regulated by cellular redox potential, a novel mechanism for protein tyrosine kinases.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) play crucial roles in cellular signaling.
- The Ltk transmembrane protein tyrosine kinase's function and localization are not fully understood.
- Receptor tyrosine kinases are typically localized to the plasma membrane.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the subcellular localization of the mouse Ltk protein tyrosine kinase.
- To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of Ltk activity.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold staining in transfected COS cells and lymphocytes.
- Endoglycosidase analysis of Ltk in COS transfectants and lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Ltk was found to be unusually localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
- Ltk activity is enhanced by alkylating and thiol-oxidizing agents, suggesting ligand-independent function.
- Active Ltk exists as disulfide-linked multimers, indicating redox regulation.
Conclusions:
- Ltk's catalytic activity in the ER may be regulated by cellular redox potential, a novel mechanism for PTKs.
- This redox-sensitive regulation in the ER might be a shared feature with some receptor kinases.
Abstract:
The subcellular localization of the mouse Ltk transmembrane protein tyrosine kinase was studied in transfected COS cells, a mature B lymphocyte line, and a low expressing transfected lymphocyte clone. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold staining of COS transfectants and endoglycosidase analysis of both COS transfectants and lymphocytes indicate the unusual localization of Ltk to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Ltk resembles a receptor tyrosine kinase; it has a short, glycosylated, and cysteine-rich N-terminal domain. Yet, it appears to function in a ligand-independent mechanism: its in vivo catalytic activity is markedly enhanced by alkylating and thiol-oxidizing agents, and the active fraction of the protein occurs as disulfide-linked multimers. The catalytic activity of Ltk in the ER may be regulated via changes in the cellular redox potential, a novel mechanism for regulating protein tyrosine kinases. The ability to respond to redox changes in the cell may, however, be shared with certain receptor kinases during their passage through the ER.
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