The JAK (Janus kinase) family members serve essential roles as the intracellular signalling effectors of cytokine receptors. This family, comprising JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2 (tyrosine kinase 2), was first described more than 20 years ago, but the complexities underlying their activation, regulation and pleiotropic signalling functions are still being explored. Here, we review the current knowledge of their physiological functions and the causative role of activating and inactivating JAK mutations in human diseases, including haemopoietic malignancies, immunodeficiency and inflammatory diseases. At the molecular level, recent studies have greatly advanced our knowledge of the structures and organization of the component FERM (4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin)-SH2 (Src homology 2), pseudokinase and kinase domains within the JAKs, the mechanism of JAK activation and, in particular, the role of the pseudokinase domain as a suppressor of the adjacent tyrosine kinase domain's catalytic activity. We also review recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of negative regulation exerted by the SH2 domain-containing proteins, SOCS (suppressors of cytokine signalling) proteins and LNK. These recent studies highlight the diversity of regulatory mechanisms utilized by the JAK family to maintain signalling fidelity, and suggest alternative therapeutic strategies to complement existing ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors.
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August 2014
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Review Article|
July 24 2014
The molecular regulation of Janus kinase (JAK) activation
Jeffrey J. Babon;
Jeffrey J. Babon
1
*The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
†Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
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Isabelle S. Lucet;
Isabelle S. Lucet
1
*The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
†Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
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James M. Murphy;
*The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
†Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
2To whom correspondence should be addressed (email [email protected]).
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Nicos A. Nicola;
Nicos A. Nicola
1
*The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
†Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
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Leila N. Varghese
Leila N. Varghese
1
*The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
†Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
June 04 2014
Revision Received:
June 06 2014
Accepted:
June 10 2014
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2014 Biochemical Society
2014
Biochem J (2014) 462 (1): 1–13.
Article history
Received:
June 04 2014
Revision Received:
June 06 2014
Accepted:
June 10 2014
Citation
Jeffrey J. Babon, Isabelle S. Lucet, James M. Murphy, Nicos A. Nicola, Leila N. Varghese; The molecular regulation of Janus kinase (JAK) activation. Biochem J 15 August 2014; 462 (1): 1–13. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20140712
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