※ Tec family introduction

    Tec family kinases (TFK) represent the second largest family of non-receptor protein tyrosin kinases. Five members have been identified in human genome, Etk, Itk, Rlk, Btk and Tec. The expression of TFKs is mainly in immune system, Btk, Itk and Tec are expressed in mast cells, and some members are also found outside the hematopoietic system. TFKs are intact catalytic inactive and are recruited to membrane via the binding of PH domain to PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 phosphate. In turn, they are phosphorylated bu Src family kinases and subsequently undergo the autophosphorylation which will lead to the full activation. Activate TFKs are involved in a variety of cellular processes or signaling pathway, including cell adhesion and migration, actin reorganization, Ca2+ mobilization, apoptosis, and gene expression and transformation (1).

Reference
1. Takesono, A., Finkelstein, L.D. and Schwartzberg, P.L. (2002) Beyond calcium: new signaling pathways for Tec family kinases. J Cell Sci, 115, 3039-3048. PMID: 12118060