Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is a cytoplasmic, non-receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in multiple signaling pathways. It is a negative regulator of osteogenesis and considered a viable drug target for osteoporosis treatment.
Pyk2 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) comprise the focal adhesion kinase subfamily of non-receptor tyrosine kinases. PYK2 and FAK are large multidomain proteins containing an N-terminal FERM domain, a central catalytic domain, and a C-terminal segment containing dual proline rich (PR) subdomains and a focal adhesion targeting (FAT) region.
Pyk2, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase of the FAK family, is up-regulated in more than 60% of the tumors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.