The protein-tyrosine kinase Syk interacts with TRAF-interacting protein TRIP in breast epithelial cells

The nonreceptor, protein-tyrosine kinase Syk is a suppressor of breast cancer progression whose expression is inversely correlated with the invasive behavior of cancer cells. In contrast, Syk has a positive function in murine mammary tumor virus-mediated tumorigenesis. A yeast two-hybrid screen using a library from human mammary gland identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor-interacting protein (TRIP) as an Syk-binding partner. This interaction is mediated by the C-terminal region of TRIP and is enhanced by the treatment of cells with TNF and the tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk. Syk and TRIP have opposing functions in TNF-signaling pathways. Syk enhances the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B by TNF and this is antagonized by TRIP. The overexpression of TRIP sensitizes cells to TNF-induced apoptosis, an effect that can be reversed by the coexpression of Syk.