Overview:

TYK2 is a member of the tyrosine kinase and, more specifically, the Janus kinases (JAKs) protein families which associates with the cytoplasmic domain of type I and type II cytokine receptors and promulgate cytokine signals by phosphorylating receptor subunits. It is also component of both the type I and type III interferon signaling pathways. TYK2 play a role in anti-viral immunity and TYK2 plays an indispensable role in controlling responses to multiple cytokines in humans (1). Tyk2 contributes selectively to signals triggered by various biologic stimuli and cytokine receptors and TYK2 is an important regulator of lymphoid tumor surveillance (2).

References:

1. Minegishi, Y. et.al: Human tyrosine kinase 2 deficiency reveals its requisite roles in multiple cytokine signals involved in innate and acquired immunity. Immunity 25: 745-755, 2006.

2. Stoiber, D. et.al: TYK2 is a key regulator of the surveillance of B lymphoid tumors. J. Clin. Invest. 114: 1650-1658, 2004.