General Description
Pyk2 (proline-rich kinase 2) protein belongs to tyrosine protein kinase family and is primarily expressed in the central nervous system and in cells derived from hematopoietic lineages. Pyk2 is found in tissues and cells like mesenchymal, epithelial, endothelial cells, neonatal cardiomyocytes, osteoclasts and neuronal cells.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are critical components of the signalling pathways that control cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism, cell cycle regulation and cytoskeletal function. Pyk2 has been detected in cell-cell contacts, at focal adhesion-like structures and podosomes, cytoplasmic perinuclear region, in association with actin filaments and diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm. Pyk2 phosphorylation is critical for its interaction with SH2-containing signalling molecules and their linkage to signalling pathways that regulate extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Janus kinases (JNK) and p38 kinases. Pyk2 has been shown to interact with Src family kinases, the growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2)/Sos complex, p130cas, paxillin, Hic-5, and several other proteins, including inhibitors, to regulate signalling as well as cytoskeletal and morphological changes of cells. It has a crucial role in T and B cell antigen receptor signaling, cell cycle progression, metastasis, NK cytotoxicity, modulation of ion channel function and neuronal short- and long- term responses.
