Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) signals are implicated in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases

Post-translational modifications regulate numerous biochemical reactions and functions through covalent attachment to proteins. Phosphorylation, acetylation and ubiquitination account for over 90% of all reported post-translational modifications. As one of the tyrosine protein kinases, spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) plays crucial roles in many pathophysiological processes and affects the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases. SYK is expressed in tissues outside the hematopoietic system, especially the heart, and is involved in the progression of various cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, diabetic cardiomyopathy, stroke and others. Knowledge on the role of SYK in the progress of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases is accumulating, and many related mechanisms have been discovered and validated. This review summarizes the role of SYK in the progression of various cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, and aims to provide a theoretical basis for future experimental and clinical research targeting SYK as a therapeutic option for these diseases.