A ligand for ALK

Sci Signal. 2015 Jan 20;8(360):fs2. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.aaa5566.

Abstract

The receptor tyrosine kinase ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), as its name suggests, is aberrantly activated, mutated, or abundant in multiple cancers. Although widely studied in the context of cancer, the ligand that normally binds to and activates ALK in vertebrates has remained elusive. In this issue of Science Signaling, Murray and colleagues identify heparin as an ALK ligand.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Enzyme Activation / physiology*
  • Heparin / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Ligands*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / chemistry*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Heparin
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors