ITK (gene)


Tyrosine-protein kinase ITK/TSK also known as interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase or simply ITK, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ITK gene. ITK is a member of the TEC family of kinases and is highly expressed in T cells.

Function

This gene encodes an intracellular tyrosine kinase expressed in T-cells. The protein is thought to play a role in T-cell proliferation and differentiation. ITK is functionally important for the development and effector function of Th2 and Th17 cells.
Mice lacking ITK were shown to not be susceptible to asthma.

Structure

This protein contains the following domains, which are often found in intracellular kinases:
ITK has been shown to interact with: