Src Family Kinases (SFKs) refer to a group of cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) that play critical roles in various cellular processes. SFKs are a subfamily of non-receptor tyrosine kinases, and their name is derived from the first identified member of this family called Src.
SFKs are mainly involved in signal transduction cascades, where they act as key regulators of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration, and survival. They are also implicated in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics, cytosolic trafficking, and gene expression. Due to their wide range of functions, SFKs are crucial components in several cellular pathways and are implicated in numerous physiological and pathological processes.
The SFK family comprises nine members, including Src, Fyn, Lyn, Yes, Lck, Hck, Blk, Fgr, and Yrk. Each member has a similar domain structure, consisting of an N-terminal unique region followed by SH3 (Src homology 3) and SH2 (Src homology 2) domains, a tyrosine kinase domain, and a C-terminal regulatory tail. Through these domains, SFKs interact with various regulatory proteins, adaptor molecules, receptors, and substrates to initiate and propagate intracellular signaling.
Dysregulation of SFKs has been implicated in the development and progression of several diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and neurological disorders. Therefore, SFKs have emerged as attractive therapeutic targets, and the development of specific SFK inhibitors has been a focus of research in the field of drug discovery.
