SRC Gene

SRC Gene

Pathway Diagram

```mermaid
flowchart TD
EGFR["EGFR<br/>Receptor"]
SRC["SRC<br/>Proto-oncogene<br/>Tyrosine Kinase"]
ERK["ERK<br/>MAPK Pathway"]

Alzheimer["Alzheimer's<br/>Disease"]
Parkinson["Parkinson's<br/>Disease"]
ALS["ALS<br/>Motor Neuron<br/>Disease"]
MS["Multiple<br/>Sclerosis"]

Schizophrenia["Schizophrenia"]
Autism["Autism<br/>Spectrum<br/>Disorder"]
Depression["Depression"]
Epilepsy["Epilepsy"]

Neuroinflammation["Neuroinflammation<br/>Process"]
Synaptic_Dysfunction["Synaptic<br/>Dysfunction"]
Cell_Death["Neuronal<br/>Cell Death"]

Therapeutic_Target["SRC as<br/>Therapeutic<br/>Target"]

EGFR -->|"activates"| SRC
SRC -->|"activates"| ERK
SRC -->|"regulates"| Neuroinflammation
SRC -->|"regulates"| Synaptic_Dysfunction

SRC -->|"regulates"| Alzheimer
SRC -->|"regulates"| Parkinson
SRC -->|"activates"| ALS
SRC -->|"activates"| MS

SRC -->|"regulates"| Schizophrenia
SRC -->|"regulates"| Autism
SRC -->|"regulates"| Depression
SRC -->|"regulates"| Epilepsy

Neuroinflammation -->|"promotes"| Cell_Death
Synaptic_Dysfunction -->|"contributes_to"| Cell_Death

SRC -->|"therapeutic_target"| Therapeutic_Target
Therapeutic_Target -->|"potential_treatment"| ALS

style SRC fill:#006494
style EGFR fill:#4a1a6b
style ERK fill:#4a1a6b
style Therapeutic_Target fill:#1b5e20
style Neuroinflammation fill:#ef5350
style Cell_Death fill:#ef5350
style Synaptic_Dysfunction fill:#ef5350

SRC Gene

Pathway Diagram

Introduction

Src — Src Proto Oncogene, Tyrosine Kinase is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<h3>SRC</h3>
<table>
<tr><th>Full Name</th><td>SRC Proto-Oncogene, Tyrosine Kinase</td></tr>
<tr><th>Chromosomal Location</th><td>20q11.23</td></tr>
<tr><th>NCBI Gene ID</th><td>[6713](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6713)</td></tr>
<tr><th>OMIM</th><td>[190090](https://www.omim.org/entry/190090)</td></tr>
<tr><th>Ensembl ID</th><td>ENSG00000197122</td></tr>
<tr><th>UniProt</th><td>[P12931](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P12931)</td></tr>
<tr><th>Associated Diseases</th><td>Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Stroke, Cancer</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

SRC (SRC Proto-Oncogene, Tyrosine Kinase) is a member of the Src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases (SFKs). It is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that plays critical roles in cellular signaling pathways regulating cell growth, differentiation, survival, migration, and synaptic function[@see]. In the nervous system, SRC is involved in synaptic plasticity, [NMDA receptor](/entities/nmda-receptor) signaling, and neuronal survival[^2]. It is implicated in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.

Function

SRC encodes a member of the Src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases (SFKs). These kinases are critical signaling molecules that regulate numerous cellular processes including cell growth, differentiation, survival, migration, and synaptic function[^3].

Structure

Src family kinases consist of:

• N-terminal myristoylation site - for membrane association
• Unique domain - determines isoform specificity
• SH3 and SH2 domains - for protein-protein interactions
• Catalytic tyrosine kinase domain - for enzymatic activity

Signaling Pathways

SRC is activated by various receptors including:

• Growth factor receptors (EGFR, PDGFR)
• Integrins
• Immune receptors
• Cytokine receptors

Neuronal Functions

In the nervous system, SRC plays important roles in[^2][^4]:

• Synaptic plasticity - Regulation of AMPA and NMDA receptor trafficking
• NMDA receptor signaling - Phosphorylation of NR2A/B subunits
• Neuronal survival - Activation of PI3K/Akt pathway
• [Tau](/proteins/tau) phosphorylation - Regulation of kinases including [GSK-3β](/entities/gsk3-beta)

Expression Pattern

SRC is expressed throughout the brain with high expression in the [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), and cerebellum[^5]. Expression is regulated during development and by neuronal activity. In the adult brain, SRC is present in both [neurons](/entities/neurons) and glia.

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

SRC is implicated in multiple aspects of AD pathogenesis[^6][^7]:

• Amyloid-β signaling: SRC is activated by amyloid-β oligomers, contributing to synaptic dysfunction
• [Tau](/proteins/tau) pathology: SRC can phosphorylate tau at tyrosine residues, potentially accelerating tangle formation
• NMDA receptor dysfunction: Altered SRC signaling contributes to excitotoxicity
• Neuroinflammation: SRC regulates microglial activation and inflammatory responses

Parkinson's Disease

• Dopaminergic neuron survival: SRC signaling affects mitochondrial function
• Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: SRC involved in aberrant signaling
• Therapeutic targeting: SRC inhibitors being investigated[^8]

Stroke and Ischemia

• Excitotoxicity: SRC contributes to NMDA receptor-mediated calcium influx
• [Blood-brain barrier](/entities/blood-brain-barrier) disruption: SRC regulates endothelial cell junctions

Therapeutic Implications

Src family kinase inhibitors are in development for neurodegenerative diseases[^8][^9]:

| Agent | Target | Status | Notes |
|-------|--------|--------|-------|
| Dasatinib | Multi-SFK | FDA-approved (CML) | Being repurposed for neurodegeneration |
| Bosutinib | Multi-SFK | FDA-approved (CML) | Shows promise in preclinical AD models |
| Saracatinib | SRC, FYN | Clinical Trial | AZD0530 - completed Phase Ib for AD |
| KX1-004 | SRC-selective | Preclinical | Novel brain-penetrant inhibitor |

Key Publications

Background

The study of Src — Src Proto Oncogene, Tyrosine Kinase has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

See Also

• [/diseases/alzheimers](/diseases/alzheimers)
• [Amyloid Hypothesis](/mechanisms/amyloid-hypothesis)
• [Tau Pathology](/mechanisms/tau-pathology)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Alpha-Synuclein](/mechanisms/alpha-synuclein)

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: SRC](- [UniProt: P12931](- [OMIM: 190090](https://www.omim.org/entry/190090)
• [PDB: 1A07](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1A07) - SRC k

References

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving SRC Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: