A uNick protein

Nck is an adaptor protein composed of three N-terminal Src Homology (SH) 3 domains followed by a unique C?terminal SH2 domain. Like other SH2/SH3 domains-containing adaptor proteins, Nck mediates signal transduction from activated cell surface receptors by directing the flow of information to elicit properly orchestrated cell responses. In this way, Nck appears to be unique in its contribution to a wide variety of cellular processes. Moreover, in addition to the typical signal/pY-SH2/SH3-effectors mode of signaling, Nck also transduces signals through an inverse mode of -signaling (signal-SH3/SH2-pY/effectors) and from various cell compartments. Since Nck contributes to important morphogenic and mitogenic processes, deregulated expression of Nck could be detrimental to cellular homeostasis. In agreement, Nck expression has been found upregulated in numerous types of cancer. In this paper we delineate the main molecular -signaling -complexes associated with Nck, focusing on those involved in cancer progression.