title: Functions of the FAK family kinases in T cells: beyond actin cytoskeletal rearrangement.
abstract: T cells control the focus and extent of adaptive immunity in infectious and pathological diseases. The activation of T cells occurs when the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and costimulatory and/or adhesion receptors are engaged by their ligands. This process drives signaling that promotes cytoskeletal rearrangement and transcription factor activation, both of which regulate the quality and magnitude of the T cell response. However, it is not fully understood how different receptor-induced signals combine to alter T cell activation. The related non-receptor tyrosine kinases focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) are phosphorylated downstream of the TCR and several costimulatory and adhesion receptors. FAK family proteins integrate receptor-mediated signals that influence actin cytoskeletal rearrangement and effector T cell responses. In this review, we summarize the receptor-specific roles that FAK and Pyk2 control to influence T cell development and activation.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Jon C D
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Houtman
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D051418:Focal Adhesion Kinase 2 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D011173:Portraits as Topic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D051418:Focal Adhesion Kinase 2; C496050:PTK2 protein, human