Structural and Functional Insights Into Lyn Kinase: From Immune Regulation to Therapeutic Targeting

Lyn kinase, a member of the Src family of kinases, is a critical regulator of immune cell signaling, regulating key processes including activation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Dysregulated Lyn kinase activity causes haematological malignancies, autoimmune disorders, solid tumors, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders. Here, we aimed to provide a comprehensive account of Lyn kinase biology, highlighting its structural features, regulatory roles in immune and cellular signaling, and pathological implications across diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders. We further examined emerging therapeutic strategies, including small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and natural compounds, and highlighted the therapeutic potential of Lyn kinase as a promising drug target. Overexpression of Lyn contributes to tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to treatment in leukaemia, prostate, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Beyond oncology, emerging evidence links Lyn kinase to neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and metabolic regulation, further underscoring its broad disease relevance. Lyn kinase is considered a viable therapeutic target, with ongoing research focusing on small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and natural compounds like flavonoids and polyphenols that have exhibited promising preclinical and clinical outcomes. We summarized current insights into Lyn kinase biology, highlighting its pathological significance and discussing therapeutic opportunities arising from the modulation of this enzyme.