Tec kinases regulate T-lymphocyte development and function: new insights into the roles of Itk and Rlk/Txk.
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.
Readinger
Julie A
JA
National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Mueller
Kristen L
KL
Venegas
Ana M
AM
Horai
Reiko
R
Schwartzberg
Pamela L
PL
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*
C089848:Tec protein-tyrosine kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C080813:emt protein-tyrosine kinase