B cell signaling and tumorigenesis.
The proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes are regulated by receptors localized on the cell surface. Engagement of these receptors induces the activation of intracellular signaling proteins that transmit the receptor signals to distinct targets and control the cellular responses. The first signaling proteins to be discovered in higher organisms were the products of oncogenes. For example, the kinases Src and Abelson (Abl) were originally identified as oncogenes and were later characterized as important proteins for signal transduction in various cell types, including lymphocytes. Now, as many cellular signaling molecules have been discovered and ordered into certain pathways, we can better understand why particular signaling proteins are associated with tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss recent progress in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of signaling pathways that control the proliferation and differentiation of early B cells. We point out the concepts of auto-inhibition and subcellular localization as crucial aspects in the regulation of B cell signaling.
Jumaa
Hassan
H
Institute for Biology III, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg and Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology, 79108 Freiburg, Germany. jumaa@immunbio.mpg.de
Hendriks
Rudolf W
RW
Reth
Michael
M
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000077329:Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase; D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D015448:Leukemia, B-Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D038041:Lymphopoiesis; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D045567:VDJ Recombinases / Q000502:physiology
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C113939:B cell linker protein; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000077329:Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase; D045567:VDJ Recombinases