FYN, A SRC FAMILY TYROSINE KINASE

Fyn is a 59 kDa member of the Src family of tyrosine kinases. The prot ein is synthesized and N-myristoylated on cytosolic polysomes and then rapidly targeted to the plasma membrane, where it is palmitoylated. D ually acylated Fyn clusters in caveolae-like membrane microdomains, an d can interact with a variety of other signaling molecules. Fyn's biol ogical functions are diverse, and include signaling via the T cell rec eptor, regulation of brain function, as well as adhesion mediated sign aling. Alteration of the levels of Fyn in appropriate target tissues m ay lead to better treatments for alcoholism and autoimmune disease. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.