BLNK: a central linker protein in B cell activation

Immunity. 1998 Jul;9(1):93-103. doi: 10.1016/s1074-7613(00)80591-9.

Abstract

Linker or adapter proteins provide mechanisms by which receptors can amplify and regulate downstream effector proteins. We describe here the identification of a novel B cell linker protein, termed BLNK, that interfaces the B cell receptor-associated Syk tyrosine kinase with PLCgamma, the Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor, and the Grb2 and Nck adapter proteins. Tyrosine phosphorylation of BLNK by Syk provides docking sites for these SH2-containing effector molecules that, in turn, permits the phosphorylation and/or activation of their respective signaling pathways. Hence, BLNK represents a central linker protein that bridges the B cell receptor-associated kinases with a multitude of signaling pathways and may regulate the biologic outcomes of B cell function and development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Enzyme Precursors / metabolism
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phospholipase C gamma
  • Phosphoproteins*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Rabbits
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Syk Kinase
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism
  • Tyrosine / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • B cell linker protein
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Enzyme Precursors
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • GRB2 protein, human
  • Grb2 protein, mouse
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Isoenzymes
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proteins
  • Tyrosine
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • SYK protein, human
  • Syk Kinase
  • Syk protein, mouse
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • Phospholipase C gamma

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF068180
  • GENBANK/AF068181
  • GENBANK/AF068182
  • GENBANK/AJ222814