Surreal illustration of Src kinase molecular structure symbolizing scientific correction and accuracy.

The Curious Case of Src Kinase: How Scientific Corrections Uphold Research Integrity

Jordan Keane in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unraveling the story behind a critical correction in a molecular biology paper and what it means for scientific accountability."

In the ever-evolving world of scientific research, the pursuit of knowledge is often fraught with challenges. One such challenge is ensuring accuracy and integrity in published findings. Scientific literature, while aiming for perfection, is not immune to errors. When these errors come to light, the scientific community relies on a mechanism known as a corrigendum—a correction to a published paper—to set the record straight. This article delves into a specific case: a corrigendum published in the Journal of Molecular Biology concerning research on Src tyrosine kinase.

Src tyrosine kinase is a pivotal enzyme involved in numerous cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and motility. Given its involvement in cancer and other diseases, understanding its structure and function is critical. The original paper, titled “A Catalytically-Disabled Double Mutant of Src Tyrosine Kinase Can Be Stabilized into an Active-Like Conformation,” explored how a modified version of this enzyme could be stabilized in an active-like state. However, an error in the attribution of authorship prompted a necessary correction.

This correction highlights not only the importance of accuracy but also the collaborative nature of scientific research. It's a story of unintended oversights and the proactive steps taken to rectify them, underscoring the values of transparency and accountability in the scientific community. As we dissect this corrigendum, we'll explore its implications and the broader context of scientific integrity.

The Corrigendum: Setting the Record Straight

Surreal illustration of Src kinase molecular structure symbolizing scientific correction and accuracy.

Published in March 2018, the corrigendum addressed an error in ascribing the author contributions. The original paper had inadvertently omitted Dr. Lalima G. Ahuja as a joint co-first author. According to the correction, this omission occurred because the authors lost track of the contributions during the revision process. The oversight was significant because Dr. Ahuja's contributions were substantial enough to warrant her inclusion as a joint co-first author alongside Yilin Meng.

The authors, including Yilin Meng and Benoît Roux, promptly acknowledged the error and issued the corrigendum to rectify the situation. This act of transparency aimed to immediately correct the record and officially recognize Dr. Ahuja’s contributions. The corrigendum serves as a public declaration, reinforcing the principle that all contributors receive due credit for their work. This scenario underscores the importance of meticulous record-keeping and communication among collaborators throughout the research and publication process.

The key points from the corrigendum include:

Acknowledgement of error in authorship.
Official recognition of Dr. Lalima G. Ahuja as a joint co-first author.
Expression of apology for the inconvenience caused.
Reinforcement of collaborative integrity.

In the broader context of scientific publishing, corrections like this one play a crucial role in maintaining the credibility of research. Journals like the Journal of Molecular Biology have a responsibility to ensure that published articles meet the highest standards of accuracy and transparency. When errors are identified, they must be addressed promptly and transparently to avoid misleading the scientific community and the public. This incident reflects the journal's commitment to these principles, even when it involves acknowledging and correcting mistakes.

The Broader Implications for Scientific Integrity

The corrigendum regarding the Src tyrosine kinase paper is a microcosm of the larger ecosystem of scientific research. It illustrates that errors can occur, even in high-impact journals, and that the scientific community has established mechanisms to address them. By correcting these errors transparently, scientists reinforce the public’s trust in the scientific process. Scientific integrity is more than just avoiding intentional misconduct; it includes being vigilant about accuracy, acknowledging mistakes, and promptly correcting them. This commitment to integrity ensures that scientific knowledge remains reliable and trustworthy, benefiting society as a whole.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.09.001, Alternate LINK

Title: Corrigendum To “A Catalytically-Disabled Double Mutant Of Src Tyrosine Kinase Can Be Stabilized Into An Active-Like Conformation.” J. Mol. Biol. 430(6) (Mar 16 2018), 881–889

Subject: Molecular Biology

Journal: Journal of Molecular Biology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Yilin Meng, Lalima G. Ahuja, Alexandr P. Kornev, Susan S. Taylor, Benoît Roux

Published: 2018-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is a corrigendum, and how was it applied in the Src tyrosine kinase research context?

A corrigendum is a published correction to a scientific paper. In the context of the Src tyrosine kinase research, it was used to correct an error in the author contributions. Specifically, Dr. Lalima G. Ahuja was inadvertently omitted as a joint co-first author in the original publication. This correction highlights the importance of accuracy and proper attribution in scientific research, ensuring that all contributors receive due credit for their work.

Why is Src tyrosine kinase an important subject of scientific research, and what did the original paper aim to explore?

Src tyrosine kinase is a crucial enzyme involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and motility. Because of its involvement in diseases like cancer, understanding its function is vital. The original paper explored how a modified version of Src tyrosine kinase could be stabilized in an active-like state. Further research into the structure, regulation, and interactions of Src tyrosine kinase can provide insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

What key actions were taken to rectify the error in the Src tyrosine kinase paper, and what principles do these actions underscore?

The key actions taken were the acknowledgement of the authorship error, the official recognition of Dr. Lalima G. Ahuja as a joint co-first author, the expression of apology for the error, and the reinforcement of collaborative integrity. These actions underscore a commitment to transparency and accountability, which are essential for maintaining the credibility of scientific research and fostering trust within the scientific community.

Beyond avoiding misconduct, what does scientific integrity encompass, as illustrated by the Src tyrosine kinase corrigendum?

Scientific integrity, as demonstrated by the Src tyrosine kinase corrigendum, involves being vigilant about accuracy, acknowledging mistakes, and promptly correcting them. It extends beyond avoiding intentional misconduct and emphasizes transparency and accountability in research practices. By upholding these standards, the scientific community ensures that scientific knowledge remains reliable, trustworthy, and beneficial to society.

What role do journals play in maintaining research credibility, as exemplified by the corrigendum in the Journal of Molecular Biology regarding Src tyrosine kinase?

Journals like the Journal of Molecular Biology play a crucial role in maintaining the credibility of research by ensuring published articles meet high standards of accuracy and transparency. When errors are identified, as in the case of the Src tyrosine kinase paper, these journals are responsible for addressing them promptly and transparently. This commitment helps to prevent misleading the scientific community and the public, reinforcing trust in scientific publications.