Overview:

FRK (fyn-related kinase) or Rak is a nuclear tyrosine kinase and member of the Src sub-family. Restricted expression of FRK is detected in a broad range of cell lines with highest levels in epithelial cells. Increased expression of FRK has been shown in breast and renal cell carcinoma cell lines. In addition the retinoblastoma tumor susceptibility gene product pRb associates with FRK in vitro and in vivo (1). Overexpression of FRK in beta-cells from the pancreas increases the susceptibility of these cells to beta-cell-toxic events (hallmark of Type I diabetes)(2).

Gene Aliases:

GTK; RAK; PTK5

Genbank Number:

NM_002031

References:

1. Craven, R J. et al: The nuclear tyrosine kinase Rak associates with the retinoblastoma protein pRb. Cancer Res. 1995 Sep 15;55(18):3969-72.

2. Welsh, M. et al: The tyrosine kinase FRK/RAK participates in cytokine-induced islet cell cytotoxicity. Biochem J. 2004 Aug 15;382(Pt 1):261-8.