What is the alk gene?
Best insight from top research papers
The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene is a crucial gene involved in various cancers, including anaplastic large cell lymphoma, lung cancer, and neuroblastoma. It encodes a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase that, when activated by fusion with partner genes or through mutations, leads to oncogenic protein production and downstream signaling activation . ALK activation occurs through dimerization and autophosphorylation of its intracellular kinase domain upon ligand binding to its extracellular domain . The gene is a hotspot for chromosomal translocations, resulting in fusion proteins that drive various malignancies . ALK inhibitors like crizotinib and alectinib have shown effectiveness in treating ALK-positive cancers, particularly non-small cell lung cancer, although resistance mechanisms are being studied for improved treatment strategies .
Answers from top 5 papers
More filters
| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| The ALK gene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor involved in various cancers due to fusion with oncogenes or gene alterations, making it a target for specific inhibitors in treatment. | |
21 Feb 2022 | The ALK gene encodes the anaplastic lymphoma kinase, a receptor tyrosine kinase linked to neuroblastoma development due to genetic alterations, impacting cell behavior in neuroblastoma. |
14 Citations | The ALK gene encodes the anaplastic lymphoma kinase receptor, a receptor tyrosine kinase crucial for CNS functions and implicated in various malignancies due to fusion proteins and mutations. |
20 Sep 2022 1 Citations | The ALK gene is a tumor driver gene found in non-small cell lung cancer, with various fusion partners like CLIP1-ALK. It plays a role in cancer development and treatment response. |
| The ALK gene encodes a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. It forms oncogenic fusion proteins with partner genes due to chromosomal translocation, found in various hematological neoplasms like ALCL and AML. |
Related Questions
What causes alk NSCLC?4 answersALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is primarily caused by rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene, accounting for approximately 5-6% of NSCLC cases. These ALK rearrangements drive the development of NSCLC and make the cancer sensitive to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) but also prone to drug resistance. The most common fusion variant observed in ALK-positive NSCLC is the EML4-ALK fusion, accounting for the majority of cases, while other rare fusion forms have also been identified. The identification of ALK rearrangements in NSCLC is typically done through techniques like fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry, which detect ALK translocations and overexpression, respectively, aiding in predicting response to TKIs.
What are the ERK related genes?5 answersThe ERG gene is a member of the ETS transcription factor family and is consistently overexpressed in about half of patients with clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa). ERG plays a central role in PCa progression by enhancing tumor growth, promoting inflammatory and angiogenic responses, and increasing the ability of cancer cells to metastasize. In endothelial cells (EC), ERG is a positive regulator of genes involved in EC function and a negative regulator of genes involved in inflammation. ERG also plays a pivotal role in regulating EC barrier function and is involved in the regulation of CLDN5 gene expression. Additionally, ERG has been identified as a novel class of eukaryotic GTPases in plants, with a crucial role in plant growth and development, possibly by influencing mitochondrial division.
What is the role ALPK3 gene in cardiovascular disease?5 answersALPK3 gene has been found to play a role in cardiovascular disease. A study by Caglayan et al. identified a novel homozygous frameshift mutation in ALPK3 in a male infant with primary dilated cardiomyopathy, which progressed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after birth. This mutation was not present in heterozygous family members who were normal. Another study by van den Akker et al. found that persons homozygous for haplotype 3 of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, which is a common variant of ALPK3, had an increased risk of myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease compared to nonhomozygous persons. These findings suggest that genetically determined cortisol sensitivity, regulated by ALPK3, is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.
How many genes in the human have a kinase domain?5 answersThe human genome contains approximately 500 genes that have a kinase domain. These genes encode for proteins known as protein kinases, which play important roles in various cellular processes such as proliferation, maintenance of cell shape, and apoptosis. The protein kinases are characterized by the presence of a common kinase catalytic domain, and some members of this family also have additional non-kinase domains that contribute to their specialization. The kinase gene family is diverse and includes both well-known genes and genes that have been identified more recently through computational studies. The kinome, which refers to the protein kinase component of the human genome, was exhaustively compiled in 2002 and identified 478 eukaryotic protein kinase (ePK) genes and 40 atypical protein kinases.
The expression of which genes is regulated by TGFb-ALK1 signalling?5 answersTGF-β-ALK1 signaling regulates the expression of several genes. One of these genes is Serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1). Another gene regulated by TGF-β-ALK1 signaling is alk1, which is involved in proper vascular development. Additionally, TGF-β1-ALK1 signaling induces the expression of Id3, HAMP, and PLAUR genes in macrophages.
What is the function of anaplastic lymphoma kinase?5 answersAnaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays important roles in various cancers, including anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and neuroblastomas. ALK gene alterations, such as gene rearrangements and mutations, are key drivers in the development of these tumors. Targeted therapy with ALK inhibitors has transformed the treatment paradigm for ALK-positive tumors, leading to improved outcomes for patients. ALK inhibitors, such as crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLCs. The function of ALK is to activate signaling pathways that promote cell growth and survival, and its constitutive activation in ALK-fused cancers can be inhibited by ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The development of next-generation ALK inhibitors and combination therapies targeting ALK and alternative signaling pathways are being explored to overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes.