A novel ligand for SH3 domains. The Nck adaptor protein binds to a serine/threonine kinase via an SH3 domain.

We have previously shown that overexpression of the SH2- and SH3-containing Nck adaptor protein causes transformation of mammalian fibroblast. To elucidate the mechanism by which it deregulates growth, we have sought to identify potential effectors for Nck. We report that a serine/threonine kinase, which we term NAK (for Nck-associated kinase), associates with Nck in vivo and in vitro. Using glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins generated with isolated domains of Nck, we demonstrate that NAK binds specifically to the second of Nck's three SH3 domains. NAK is complexed with Nck in a wide variety of cell types, including NIH3T3, A431, PC12, and Hela cells.