Growth factor signaling Tyrosine phosphorylation of certain target proteins is required for ligand stimulation of their enzymatic activity. In response to
EGF,
PDGF, or
FGF receptor activation, the
SH2 domains of PLCγ bind to specific phosphotyrosines in the C-terminal tails of these receptors. Binding of PLCγ to the activated receptor facilitates its efficient tyrosine phosphorylation by the RTK. PDGF-induced activation of phospholipase C activity is abrogated in cells expressing PLCγ mutated in the tyrosine phosphorylation sites.
Cell adhesion, spreading, migration and shape Phosphorylation on tyrosine residues, which are localized on membrane proteins, stimulates a cascade of signaling pathways that control
cell proliferation,
migration, and
adhesion. These tyrosine residues are phosphorylated very early. For example, p140Cap (Cas-associated protein) are phosphorylated within 15 minutes of cell adhesion to integrin ligands.
Cell differentiation in development Tyrosine phosphorylation mediates in signal transduction pathways during germ cell development and determines their association with the differentiation of a functional gamete. Until testicular
germ cells differentiate into
spermatozoa, cAMP-induced tyrosine phosphorylation is not detectable. Entry of these cells into the epididymis is accompanied by sudden activation of the tyrosine phosphorylation pathway, initially in the principal piece of the cell and subsequently in the midpiece.
Cell cycle control Transitions in the phases of the
cell cycle are also dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation. In the late G2 phase, it is present as an inactive complex of tyrosine-phosphorylated p34cdc2 and unphosphorylated cyclin Bcdc13. In M phase, its activation as an active MPF displaying histone H1 kinase (H1K) originates from the concomitant tyrosine dephosphorylation of the p34cdc2 subunit and the
phosphorylation of the cylin Bcdc13 subunit. As cells leave the S phase and enter the G2 phase, a massive tyrosine phosphorylation of p34cdc2 occurs.
Gene regulation and transcription Regulation with tyrosine phosphorylation plays a very important role in
gene regulation. Tyrosine phosphorylation can influence the formation of different
transcription factors and the subsequent development of their product. One of these cases is tyrosine phosphorylation of
caveolin 2 (Cav-2) that negatively regulates the anti-proliferative function of
transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in endothelial cells. Only tyrosine phosphorylation is essential for the negative regulation of anti-proliferative function and signaling of
TGF-β in ECs.
Endocytosis and exocytosis The phosphorylation of tyrosine residues plays an important role in these two very important processes. Ligand-dependent
endocytosis, which is not coupled to secretion, is known to be regulated via tyrosine phosphorylation. The effect of tyrosine phosphorylation is specific to rapid endocytosis.
Dynamin is tyrosine phosphorylated in rapid endocytosis as well as in ligand dependent endocytosis.
Insulin stimulation of glucose uptake Insulin binds to the insulin receptor at the cell surface and activates its tyrosine kinase activity, leading to
autophosphorylation and
phosphorylation of several receptor substrates. Phosphorylation of selected tyrosine sites on receptor substrates is known to activate different pathways leading to increased
glucose uptake,
lipogenesis, and glycogen and protein synthesis, as well as to the stimulation of
cell growth. In addition to the activation of these pathways by tyrosine phosphorylation, several mechanisms of downregulating the response to insulin stimulation have also been identified.
Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) Protein tyrosine phosphorylation of capillary endothelial cells plays an important role in their proliferation. This phosphorylation can form new blood vessels.
Regulation of ion channels in nerve transmission Many studies demonstrating high levels of protein-tyrosine kinases and phosphatases in the
central nervous system have suggested that tyrosine phosphorylation is also involved in the regulation of neuronal processes. High levels of protein-tyrosine kinases and phosphatases and their substrates at
synapses, both presynaptically and postsynaptically, suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation may regulate synaptic transmission. The role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of ligand-gated
ion channels in the central nervous system has been less clear. The major excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system are the
glutamate receptors. These receptors can be divided into three major classes, AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptors, based on their selective agonists and on their physiological properties. Recent studies have provided evidence that NMDA receptors are regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. ==Tyrosine kinase and diseases==