The linkurl:Src;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/20578/ protein helped teach the world about the molecular basis of cancer. The animal Src protein, linkurl:c-Src,;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/12133/ was first discovered because its mutant, linkurl:v-Src,;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/14357/ was spread among chickens by the tumor-causing linkurl:Rous Sarcoma Virus.;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/53621/ Both proteins are linkurl:tyrosine kinases,;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/53940/ cell signaling enzymes that activate other enzymes by moving a phosphate from ATP to a tyrosine amino acid. Animals require c-Src activity for proper bone development and T-cell development and activation, among other things. c-Src is only active when it receives specific cellular signals, but v-Src is less inhibited and much more active.
__The two faces of Src (adapted from Young et. al., 2001.)__
linkurl:My lab mates and I;http://jkweb.qb3.berkeley.edu/external/lab_staff.html here at the University of California, Berkeley, study the mechanism of Src activation at the molecular level. Unable to reach c-Src for this interview, I invited v-Src, a very dynamic molecule, for a drink at our local pub. The protein got...
v-Src:Kuchment:v-Src:c-Src:Kuchment:c-Src:Kuchment:c-Src:v-Src:c-Src:v-Src:c-Src:v-Src:c-Src:v-Src:Kuchment:c-Src:Kuchment:References: 1. Nobel lectures by: Peyton Rous, David Baltimore, Howard M. Temin, J. Michael Bishop, Harold E. Varmus. 2. Young et. al., "Dynamic coupling between the SH2 and SH3 domains in c-Src and Hck underlies their inactivation by c-terminal tyrosine phosphorylation," __Cell__, 105:115-126, 2001. 3. GS Martin, "The hunting of the Src," __Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol.__, 6:467-75, 2001. 4. Huse and Kuriyan, "Conformational plasticity of protein kinases," __Cell__, 109:275-82, 2002. 5. GS Martin, Personal correspondence. 6. Luke Chao, Personal communication.

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