Tec kinases regulate T-lymphocyte development and function: new insights into the roles of Itk and Rlk/Txk.

Abstract

The Tec (tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma) family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases consists of five members: Tec, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), inducible T-cell kinase (Itk), resting lymphocyte kinase (Rlk/Txk), and bone marrow-expressed kinase (Bmx/Etk). Although their functions are probably best understood in antigen receptor signaling, where they participate in the phosphorylation and regulation of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma), it is now appreciated that these kinases contribute to signaling from many receptors and that they participate in multiple downstream pathways, including regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. In T cells, three Tec kinases are expressed, Itk, Rlk/Txk, and Tec. Itk is expressed at highest amounts and plays the major role in regulating signaling from the T-cell receptor. Recent studies provide evidence that these kinases contribute to multiple aspects of T-cell biology and have unique roles in T-cell development that have revealed new insight into the regulation of conventional and innate T-cell development. We review new findings on the Tec kinases with a focus on their roles in T-cell development and mature T-cell differentiation.

• Authors: Julie A Readinger, Kristen L Mueller, Ana M Venegas, Reiko Horai, Pamela L Schwartzberg
• Journal: Immunological reviews (Immunol Rev) Vol. 228 Issue 1 Pg. 93-114 (Mar 2009) ISSN: 1600-065X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19290923 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Tec protein-tyrosine kinase
• Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
• emt protein-tyrosine kinase

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Differentiation
• Humans
• Protein-Tyrosine Kinases (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes (cytology, immunology)