B-cell linker protein (B-cell adapter containing a SH2 domain protein) (B-cell adapter containing a Src homology 2 domain protein) (Cytoplasmic adapter protein) (Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 65 kDa) (SLP-65) [BASH] [SLP65]
Linker proteins function as molecular scaffolds to localize enzymes with substrates. In B cells, B cell linker protein (BLNK) links the B cell receptor (BCR)-activated Syk kinase to the phosphoinositide and mitogen-activated kinase pathways. To examine the in vivo role of BLNK, mice deficient in BLNK were generated. B cell development in BLNK-/- mice was blocked at the transition from B220 CD43 progenitor B to B220 CD43- precursor B cells. Only a small percentage of immunoglobulin M (IgM ), but not mature IgMloIgDhi, B cells were detected in the periphery. Hence, BLNK is an essential component of BCR signaling pathways and is required to promote B cell development.
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