About V-CRK Sarcoma Virus CT10:
The adapter molecule CRK is also known as proto-oncogene c-Crk, and it is a protein which is encoded in humans by the CRK gene generally. Probably most significantly, it is known to participate in the Reelin signaling cascade downstream of DAB1, but as we will see it has other functions too.
V-crk Sarcoma Virus CT10 Functions
The CRK molecule is a member of an adapter protein family, which binds to several tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. The protein in question has several SH2 and SH3 domains, which we might otherwise refer to as src-homology domains. It is involved in a number of signaling pathways, which help to recruit cytoplasmic proteins nearby a tyrosine kinase through SH2-phosphotyrosine interaction.Two alternative transcripts, which encode different isoforms with distinct biological activity, have been described and found so far.
V-crk Sarcoma Virus CT10 Interactions
In working together with the CrKl, the CRK participates in the Reelin signaling cascade downstream of DAB1, as mentioned earlier.
V-Crk is known to be a transforming oncoprotein which comes primarily from a range of avian sarcoma viruses. It is a fusion of a viral "gag" protein with the previously mentioned SH2 and SH3 domains of cellular Crk. The name Crk comes in turn from CT10 Regulator of Kinase, where CT10 is the avian virus. From this, a protein was isolated which was lacking in kinase domains, and yet capable of stimulating the phosphorylation of tyrosines in cells.