Abstract: Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) widely exists in cells and tissues, involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes and exerts biological influence. Pyk2 can rapidly response to the extracellular signals depending on the structures of a central kinase domain and its flanked N-and C-terminal domains. It excites the downstream signaling molecules through activation of coupling receptors and autophosphorylation, initiates corresponding cell signal transduction pathways, and ultimately results in a series of cellular morphological and functional changes. In this review, we reviewed the research of Pyk2 involving in cell signal transduction pathways so far in order to comprehensively understand the role of Pyk2 and provide new perspectives for diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.

Key words: Pyk2, molecular structure, signal pathway, mechanism