Cloning of the cDNA for a novel receptor tyrosine kinase, Sky, predominantly expressed in brain

Abstract

Based on homology to the tyrosine kinase domain of the chick erythroblastosis virus oncogene v-sea, we cloned a cDNA encoding a novel receptor tyrosine kinase from a human hepatoma HepG2 cDNA library. The encoded protein, which we termed 'Sky', contains an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain and a unique extracellular domain with two immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains and two fibronectin type III (FN III) domains. The overall structure of Sky is homologous to the reported sequence of the oncogenic Axl/Ufo receptor tyrosine kinase. Phylogenetic analysis in the tyrosine kinase domain shows that Sky, Axl/Ufo, Ark, and v-Ryk form a sub-family distinct from other tyrosine kinases. Northern blot analysis revealed that sky mRNA is expressed predominantly in brain and faintly in tissues of other organs. As the combination of Ig-like and FN III domains is often observed in neural cell adhesion molecules and receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases, Sky may be involved in cell adhesion processes, particularly in the central nervous system.