Calling in SYK: SYK's dual role as a tumor promoter and tumor suppressor in cancer.

ABSTRACT: SYK (spleen tyrosine kinase) is well-characterized in the immune system as an essential enzyme required for signaling through multiple classes of immune recognition receptors. As a modulator of tumorigenesis, SYK has a bit of a schizophrenic reputation, acting in some cells as a tumor promoter and in others as a tumor suppressor. In many hematopoietic malignancies, SYK provides an important survival function and its inhibition or silencing frequently leads to apoptosis. In cancers of non-immune cells, SYK provides a pro-survival signal, but can also suppress tumorigenesis by restricting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enhancing cell-cell interactions and inhibiting migration.

SUBMITTER: Krisenko MO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4254495 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature