Kinase Family Tec

Kinase Classification: Group TK: Family Tec

Tec is a Src-related kinase family that plays a similar role in mediating surface signals to intracellular signaling pathways, though tyrosine phosphorylation.

Evolution

Tec is found in almost all animals and a few related lineages (choanoflagellates and filastereans). This is very similar to the distribution as the other Src-subgroup families (Csk, Src, and Abl), suggesting a close functional interaction within this subgroup. Tec is apparently lost from nematodes. A single Tec gene is found in Drosophila (Btk29A) and sea urchin (Tec) but the family is expanded in humans to five members (Bmx, Btk, Itk, Tec, Txk). Tec and Txk appear to be a tandem duplication, while the other genes are likely due to vertebrate whole-genome duplications.

Domain Structure

Tecs have the typical SH3-SH2-Kinase structure of Src subgoup kinases, but have two additional domains upstream: a lipid-binding PH domain, followed by a unique BTK domain. A few exceptions occur, such as the lack of an obvious SH3 domain in BMX, and the lack of a PH domain in TXK.