Src homology 3 domain of Lck Protein Tyrosine Kinase
Lck is a member of the Src subfamily of proteins, which are cytoplasmic (or non-receptor) PTKs. Lck is expressed in T-cells and natural killer cells. It plays a critical role in T-cell maturation, activation, and T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Lck phosphorylates ITAM (immunoreceptor tyr activation motif) sequences on several subunits of TCRs, leading to the activation of different second messenger cascades. Phosphorylated ITAMs serve as binding sites for other signaling factor such as Syk and ZAP-70, leading to their activation and propagation of downstream events. In addition, Lck regulates drug-induced apoptosis by interfering with the mitochondrial death pathway. The apototic role of Lck is independent of its primary function in T-cell signaling. Src kinases contain an N-terminal SH4 domain with a myristoylation site, followed by SH3 and SH2 domains, a tyr kinase domain, and a regulatory C-terminal region containing a conserved tyr. They are activated by autophosphorylation at the tyr kinase domain, but are negatively regulated by phosphorylation at the C-terminal tyr by Csk (C-terminal Src Kinase). The SH3 domain of Src kinases contributes to substrate recruitment by binding adaptor proteins/substrates, and regulation of kinase activity through an intramolecular interaction. SH3 domains are protein interaction domains that bind to proline-rich ligands with moderate affinity and selectivity, preferentially to PxxP motifs. They play versatile and diverse roles in the cell including the regulation of enzymes, changing the subcellular localization of signaling pathway components, and mediating the formation of multiprotein complex assemblies.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",