A perspective on non-catalytic Src homology (SH) adaptor signalling proteins.
Intracellular adaptor signalling proteins are members of a large family of mediators crucial for signal transduction pathways. Structurally, these molecules contain one Src Homology 2 (SH2) domain and one or more Src Homology 3 (SH3) domain(s); with either a catalytic subunit, or with other non-catalytic modular subunits. Cells depend on these regulatory signalling molecules to transmit information to the nucleus from both external and internal cues including growth factors, cytokines and steroids. Although there is a vast library of adaptor signalling proteins expressed ubiquitously in cells, the vital role these SH containing proteins play in regulating cellular signalling lacks the recognition they deserve. Their target selection method via the SH domains is simple yet highly effective. The SH3 domain(s) interact with proteins that contain proline-rich motifs, whereas the SH2 domain only binds to proteins containing phosphotyrosine residues. This unique characteristic physically enables proteins from a diverse range of networks to assemble for amplification of a signalling event. The biological consequence generated from these adaptor signalling proteins in a constantly changing microenvironment have profound regulatory effect on cell fate decision particularly when this is involved in the progression of a diseased state.
Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, London, W12 0NN, UK.
Vikash
V
Reebye
Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, London, W12 0NN, UK.
Andrea
A
Frilling
Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, London, W12 0NN, UK.
Amin
A
Hajitou
Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, London, W12 0NN, UK.
Joanna P
JP
Nicholls
Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, London, W12 0NN, UK.
Nagy A
NA
Habib
Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery and Cancer, London, W12 0NN, UK. Electronic address: p.mintz@imperial.ac.uk.
Paul J
PJ
Mintz
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D019000:Phosphotyrosine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011392:Proline / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018909:src Homology Domains / Q000235:genetics*
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D019000:Phosphotyrosine; D011392:Proline