NCK1 (NCK adaptor protein 1) is a cytoplasmic adaptor protein that plays critical roles in cellular signaling, immune regulation, and disease pathogenesis. The protein contains one SH2 domain and three SH3 domains that mediate protein-protein interactions, linking tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors to downstream effectors 1. NCK1 is essential for T cell receptor signaling and regulatory T cell (Treg) development, functioning through the AKT pathway to regulate FoxP3 expression and FoxO1 nuclear localization 2. In the nervous system, NCK1 is predominantly expressed in neurons and plays vital roles in neurite outgrowth and spinal cord injury responses, with its downregulation after injury correlating with reduced cell viability and impaired neurite development 3. Clinically, NCK1 expression is significantly upregulated in high-grade astrocytomas and serves as an independent prognostic marker associated with poor survival in glioblastoma patients 4. Recent research has identified NCK1's involvement in inflammatory skin diseases through its interaction with Rac1, where disruption of the Rac1-NCK1 complex reduces STAT3 and NF-κB signaling in keratinocytes 5. While NCK1 and NCK2 were previously considered functionally redundant, emerging evidence demonstrates paralog-specific roles, highlighting the importance of distinguishing their unique functions 1.