Closing in on the biological functions of FPS/FES and FER

Fps/Fes and Fer are the only known members of a distinct subfamily of the non-receptor proteintyrosine kinase family. Recent studies indicate that these kinases have roles in regulating cytoskeletal rearrangements and inside-out signalling that accompany receptor-ligand, cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. Genetic analysis using transgenic mouse models also implicates these kinases in the regulation of inflammation and innate immunity.