FRK

FRK (fyn-related kinase, formerly known as GTK, BSK or Iyk) is a Src-family-related kinase that is exceptional within the family: it lacks the N-terminal myristoylation signal, so it resides mainly in the nucleus and cytoplasm rather than at membranes, and it carries a distinctive C-terminal region. FRK is highly expressed in breast, colon and hematopoietic cells and generally behaves as a negative regulator of cell growth. It phosphorylates and stabilizes p53, dampens STAT3 signaling, and inhibits proliferation of breast and colon cancer cells, a profile opposite to most Src-family kinases. Consequently, FRK has been characterized as a candidate tumor suppressor whose expression is reduced in some breast tumors, rather than as a drug target.