Non-receptor tyrosine kinase indispensable for B lymphocyte development, differentiation and signaling. Binding of antigen to the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) triggers signaling that ultimately leads to B-cell activation. After BCR engagement and activation at the plasma membrane, phosphorylates PLCG2 at several sites, igniting the downstream signaling pathway through calcium mobilization, followed by activation of the protein kinase C (PKC) family members. PLCG2 phosphorylation is performed in close cooperation with the adapter protein B-cell linker protein BLNK. BTK acts as a platform to bring together a diverse array of signaling proteins and is implicated in cytokine receptor signaling pathways. Plays an important role in the function of immune cells of innate as well as adaptive immunity, as a component of the Toll-like receptors (TLR) pathway. The TLR pathway acts as a primary surveillance system for the detection of pathogens and are crucial to the activation of host defense. Especially, is a critical molecule in regulating TLR9 activation in splenic B-cells. Within the TLR pathway, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of TIRAP which leads to TIRAP degradation. BTK plays also a critical role in transcription regulation. Induces the activity of NF-kappa-B, which is involved in regulating the expression of hundreds of genes. BTK is involved on the signaling pathway linking TLR8 and TLR9 to NF-kappa-B. Transiently phosphorylates transcription factor GTF2I on tyrosine residues in response to BCR. GTF2I then translocates to the nucleus to bind regulatory enhancer elements to modulate gene expression. ARID3A and NFAT are other transcriptional target of BTK. BTK is required for the formation of functional ARID3A DNA-binding complexes. There is however no evidence that BTK itself binds directly to DNA. BTK has a dual role in the regulation of apoptosis.
Phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) isoforms are regulated through activation of tyrosine kinase-linked receptors. The importance of growth factor-stimulated phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues has been documented for PLCgamma1; however, despite the critical importance of PLCgamma2 in B-cell signal transduction, neither the tyrosine kinase(s) that directly phosphorylate PLCgamma2 nor the sites in PLCgamma2 that become phosphorylated after stimulation are known. By measuring the ability of human PLCgamma2 to restore calcium responses to the B-cell receptor stimulation or oxidative stress in a B-cell line (DT40) deficient in PLCgamma2, we have demonstrated that two tyrosine residues, Tyr(753) and Tyr(759), were important for the PLCgamma2 signaling function. Furthermore, the double mutation Y753F/Y759F in PLCgamma2 resulted in a loss of tyrosine phosphorylation in stimulated DT40 cells. Of the two kinases that previously have been proposed to phosphorylate PLCgamma2, Btk, and Syk, purified Btk had much greater ability to phosphorylate recombinant PLCgamma2 in vitro, whereas Syk efficiently phosphorylated adapter protein BLNK. Using purified proteins to analyze the formation of complexes, we suggest that function of Syk is to phosphorylate BLNK, providing binding sites for PLCgamma2. Further analysis of PLCgamma2 tyrosine residues phosphorylated by Btk and several kinases from the Src family has suggested multiple sites of phosphorylation and, in the context of a peptide incorporating residues Tyr(753) and Tyr(759), shown preferential phosphorylation of Tyr(753).
Toll-like receptor (TLR) signals that initiate innate immune responses to pathogens must be tightly regulated to prevent excessive inflammatory damage to the host. The adaptor protein Mal is specifically involved in signaling via TLR2 and TLR4. We demonstrate here that after TLR2 and TLR4 stimulation Mal becomes phosphorylated by Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) and then interacts with SOCS-1, which results in Mal polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Removal of SOCS-1 regulation potentiates Mal-dependent p65 phosphorylation and transactivation of NF-kappaB, leading to amplified inflammatory responses. These data identify a target of SOCS-1 that regulates TLR signaling via a mechanism distinct from an autocrine cytokine response. The transient activation of Mal and subsequent SOCS-1-mediated degradation is a rapid and selective means of limiting primary innate immune response.
J. Immunol. 176, 3635-3641 (2006)[PubMed:16517732]
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), the gene mutated in the human immunodeficiency X-linked agammaglobulinemia, is activated by LPS and is required for LPS-induced TNF production. In this study, we have investigated the role of Btk both in signaling via another TLR (TLR2) and in the production of other proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8. Our data show that in X-linked agammaglobulinemia PBMCs, stimulation with TLR4 (LPS) or TLR2 (N-palmitoyl-S-[2, 3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2R)-propyl]-(R)-cysteine) ligands produces significantly less TNF and IL-1beta than in normal controls. In contrast, a lack of Btk has no impact on the production of IL-6, IL-8, or the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. Our previous data suggested that Btk lies within a p38-dependent pathway that stabilizes TNF mRNA. Accordingly, TaqMan quantitative PCR analysis of actinomycin D time courses presented in this work shows that overexpression of Btk is able to stabilize TNF, but not IL-6 mRNA. Furthermore, using the p38 inhibitor SB203580, we show that the TLR4-induced production of TNF, but not IL-6, requires the activity of p38 MAPK. These data provide evidence for a common requirement for Btk in TLR2- and TLR4-mediated induction of two important proinflammatory cytokines, TNF and IL-1beta, and reveal important differences in the TLR-mediated signals required for the production of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a primary surveillance system for the detection of pathogens and are crucial to the activation of host defense. TLR7 and TLR8 sense single-stranded RNA from viruses or host ribonucleoproteins and synthetic imidazoquinolines such as R848, whereas TLR9 senses unmethylated CpG motifs in viral and bacterial DNA and in host DNA. Here we report the endogenous interaction between Brutons's tyrosine kinase (Btk) and human TLR8 and TLR9 in the monocytic cell line THP1. We also show that R848, single-stranded RNA, and CpGB-DNA activate Btk in THP1 cells as shown by phosphorylation of the tyrosine 223 residue of Btk and also by increased autokinase activity. We demonstrate that Btk is required for NFkappaB activation, participating in the pathway to increased phosphorylation of p65 on serine 536 activated by TLR8 and TLR9. Finally we demonstrate that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) that have dysfunctional Btk are impaired in the induction of interleukin-6 by CpGB-DNA. This study therefore establishes Btk as a key signaling molecule that interacts with and acts downstream of TLR8 and TLR9. Lack of functioning Btk in XLA patients downstream of TLR8 and TLR9 might explain the susceptibility of XLA patients to viral infections.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94, 604-609 (1997)[PubMed:9012831]
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is essential for B cell activation, but downstream targets of Btk have not been defined. We now describe a protein, BAP-135, that is associated with Btk in B cells and is a substrate for phosphorylation by Btk. BAP-135, which exhibits no detectable homology to known proteins, contains six occurrences of a hitherto undescribed amino acid repeat and two motifs, similar to the Src autophosphorylation site, that represent potential targets for tyrosine phosphorylation. The pleckstrin homology domain of Btk comprises the principal site of BAP-135 binding. Btk-dependent phosphorylation of BAP-135 is abolished by mutations that impair activation of Btk by Src-related kinases. Btk and BAP-135 exist in a complex before B cell antigen receptor (BCR) engagement; in response to BCR crosslinking, BAP-135 is transiently phosphorylated on tyrosine. Taken together, these observations suggest that BAP-135 may reside downstream of Btk in a signaling pathway originating at the BCR.
Bright/ARID3a/Dril1, a member of the ARID family of transcription factors, is expressed in a highly regulated fashion in B lymphocytes, where it enhances immunoglobulin transcription three- to sixfold. Recent publications from our lab indicated that functional, but not kinase-inactive, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is critical for Bright activity in an in vitro model system, yet Bright itself is not appreciably tyrosine phosphorylated. These data suggested that a third protein, and Btk substrate, must contribute to Bright-enhanced immunoglobulin transcription. The ubiquitously expressed transcription factor TFII-I was identified as a substrate for Btk several years ago. In this work, we show that TFII-I directly interacts with human Bright through amino acids in Bright's protein interaction domain and that specific tyrosine residues of TFII-I are essential for Bright-induced activity of an immunoglobulin reporter gene. Moreover, inhibition of TFII-I function in a B-cell line resulted in decreased heavy-chain transcript levels. These data suggest that Bright functions as a three-component protein complex in the immunoglobulin locus and tie together previous data indicating important roles for Btk and TFII-I in B lymphocytes.
The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) is composed of the membrane form of the immunoglobulin (Ig) and the Ig-alpha/Ig-beta heterodimer, which function as the antigen recognition component and the signaling component, respectively. A signal transmitted by BCR modulates gene expression, adhesion or survival, thereby determining the fate of antigen-encountered B cells. BCR proximal signaling occurs within cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich plasma membrane microdomains termed lipid rafts, and involves tyrosine kinases such as Lyn, Syk and Btk and the adapter molecule SLP65/BLNK. Although the distal signaling cascades via BCR are not yet fully elucidated, various components are already identified, such as lipid kinases and small G-proteins. BCR signaling is regulated by various membrane molecules termed co-receptors such as CD19 and CD22. The BCR co-receptors appear to be required for normal immune functions. Viral proteins such as LMP2 also regulate BCR signaling to maintain viral latency. Various aspects of BCR signaling and its regulatory mechanisms are discussed in this issue.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is required for human and mouse B cell development. Btk deficiency causes X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency in mice. Unlike Src proteins, Btk lacks a negative regulatory domain at the COOH terminus and may rely on cytoplasmic Btk-binding proteins to regulates its kinase activity by trans-inhibitor mechanisms. Consistent with this possibility, IBtk, which we identified as an inhibitor of Btk, bound to the PH domain of Btk. IBtk downregulated Btk kinase activity, Btk-mediated calcium mobilization and nuclear factor-kappaB-driven transcription. These results define a potential mechanism for the regulation of Btk function in B cells.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate, a derivative of phosphatidylinositol in which the inositol ring is phosphorylated at the 3', 4' and 5' positions.
Phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2) and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) are lipid second messengers that regulate various cellular processes by recruiting a wide range of downstream effector proteins to membranes. Several pleckstrin homology (PH) domains have been reported to interact with PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. To understand how these PH domains differentially respond to PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 signals, we quantitatively determined the PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 binding properties of several PH domains, including Akt, ARNO, Btk, DAPP1, Grp1, and C-terminal TAPP1 PH domains by surface plasmon resonance and monolayer penetration analyses. The measurements revealed that these PH domains have significant different phosphoinositide specificities and affinities. Btk-PH and TAPP1-PH showed genuine PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and PtdIns(3,4)P2 specificities, respectively, whereas other PH domains exhibited less pronounced specificities. Also, the PH domains showed different degrees of membrane penetration, which greatly affected the kinetics of their membrane dissociation. Mutational studies showed that the presence of two proximal hydrophobic residues on the membrane-binding surface of the PH domain is important for membrane penetration and sustained membrane residence. When NIH 3T3 cells were stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor to generate PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, reversible translocation of Btk-PH, Grp1-PH, ARNO-PH, DAPP1-PH, and its L177A mutant to the plasma membrane was consistent with their in vitro membrane binding properties. Collectively, these studies provide new insight into how various PH domains would differentially respond to cellular PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 signals.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94, 604-609 (1997)[PubMed:9012831]
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is essential for B cell activation, but downstream targets of Btk have not been defined. We now describe a protein, BAP-135, that is associated with Btk in B cells and is a substrate for phosphorylation by Btk. BAP-135, which exhibits no detectable homology to known proteins, contains six occurrences of a hitherto undescribed amino acid repeat and two motifs, similar to the Src autophosphorylation site, that represent potential targets for tyrosine phosphorylation. The pleckstrin homology domain of Btk comprises the principal site of BAP-135 binding. Btk-dependent phosphorylation of BAP-135 is abolished by mutations that impair activation of Btk by Src-related kinases. Btk and BAP-135 exist in a complex before B cell antigen receptor (BCR) engagement; in response to BCR crosslinking, BAP-135 is transiently phosphorylated on tyrosine. Taken together, these observations suggest that BAP-135 may reside downstream of Btk in a signaling pathway originating at the BCR.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionUniProtKB
Increased protein-tyrosine kinase activity is a prognostic indicator of decreased disease-free survival in patients with advanced breast tumors. Breast tumor kinase (Brk) is a soluble protein-tyrosine kinase overexpressed in the majority of breast cancers and also in normal skin and gut epithelium, but not in normal breast epithelial cells. Herein, we show that Brk interacts with protein kinase B/Akt, a serine/threonine kinase involved in cell growth and survival. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment of human keratinocytes or Brk-transfected COS-1 cells leads to the dissociation of the Brk.Akt complex, whereas a constitutively active Brk mutant containing a point mutation at Tyr-447 (YF-Brk) failed to dissociate from Akt upon EGF treatment. In addition, Brk.Akt dissociation was blocked by the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Similar to ectopic Brk, endogenous Brk in T47D breast cancer cells was less phosphorylated upon EGF treatment, but it remained constitutively associated with Akt in the presence of EGF. Overexpression of wild-type (wt)-Brk, kinase-inactive (KM)-Brk, or YF-Brk increased the Tyr phosphorylation of multiple signaling molecules including EGF receptor. However, only wt- and YF-Brk, but not KM-Brk, induced phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited the kinase activity of Akt in unstimulated cells. Similarly, overexpression of wt- or YF-, but not KM-Brk, blocked the phosphorylation of the forkhead transcription factor, a downstream Akt target. These results suggest that Brk may function as a signaling molecule whose kinase activity normally limits the activity of Akt in unstimulated cells. Additionally, these results suggest that in breast cancer cells Brk behaves similarly to a constitutively active Brk mutant (YF-Brk) and associates with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in deregulated signaling complexes. Together these data provide clues to the possible proto-oncogenic and oncogenic functions of Brk.
Evidence
3:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
The function of the kinase Btk in neutrophil activation is largely unexplored. Here we found that Btk-deficient neutrophils had more production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after engagement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or receptors for tumor-necrosis factor (TNF), which was associated with more apoptosis and was reversed by transduction of recombinant Btk. Btk-deficient neutrophils in the resting state showed hyperphosphorylation and activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) and protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and were in a 'primed' state with plasma membrane-associated GTPase Rac2. In the absence of Btk, the adaptor Mal was associated with PI(3)K and PTKs at the plasma membrane, whereas in control resting neutrophils, Btk interacted with and confined Mal in the cytoplasm. Our data identify Btk as a critical gatekeeper of neutrophil responses.
Evidence
4:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
The nonreceptor Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) has been previously shown to associate physically and functionally with members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases in a variety of cell types. Here we show evidence for a novel interaction between Btk and PKCtheta; in platelets activated through the adhesion receptors GP Ib-V-IX and GP VI. Alboaggregin A, a snake venom component capable of activating both receptors in combination, leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of Btk downstream of Src family kinases. Inhibition of Btk by the selective antagonist LFM-A13 causes a reduction in calcium entry, although secretion of 5-hydroxytryptamine is potentiated. Btk is also phosphorylated on threonine residues in a PKC-dependent manner and associates with PKCtheta; upon platelet activation by either alboaggregin A or activation of GP Ib-V-IX alone by von Willebrand factor/ristocetin. PKCtheta; in turn becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated in a manner dependent upon Src family and Btk kinase activity. Inhibition of Btk activity by LFM-A13 leads to enhancement of PKCtheta; activity, whereas nonselective inhibition of PKC activity by bisindolylmaleimide I leads to reduction in Btk activity. We propose a reciprocal feedback interaction between Btk and PKCtheta; in platelets, in which PKCtheta; positively modulates activity of Btk, which in turn feeds back negatively upon PKCtheta;.
Evidence
5:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
HSP90 is a molecular chaperone that associates with numerous substrate proteins called clients. It plays many important roles in human biology and medicine, but determinants of client recognition by HSP90 have remained frustratingly elusive. We systematically and quantitatively surveyed most human kinases, transcription factors, and E3 ligases for interaction with HSP90 and its cochaperone CDC37. Unexpectedly, many more kinases than transcription factors bound HSP90. CDC37 interacted with kinases, but not with transcription factors or E3 ligases. HSP90::kinase interactions varied continuously over a 100-fold range and provided a platform to study client protein recognition. In wild-type clients, HSP90 did not bind particular sequence motifs, but rather associated with intrinsically unstable kinases. Stabilization of the kinase in either its active or inactive conformation with diverse small molecules decreased HSP90 association. Our results establish HSP90 client recognition as a combinatorial process: CDC37 provides recognition of the kinase family, whereas thermodynamic parameters determine client binding within the family.
Evidence
6:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
Protein interaction cloning method was used to identify a novel molecule, Sab, which binds to the SH3 domain of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), the deficient cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase in human X-linked agammaglobulinemia and murine X-linked immunodeficiency. Immunoprecipitation using the anti-Sab antibody identified the protein product of the gene as a 70 kDa molecule. While Sab does not have a proline-rich sequence, it was shown to bind to Btk through the commonly conserved structure among SH3 domains. Remarkably, Sab exhibited a high preference for binding to Btk rather than to other cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, which suggests a unique role of Sab in the Btk signal transduction pathway.
The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) is composed of the membrane form of the immunoglobulin (Ig) and the Ig-alpha/Ig-beta heterodimer, which function as the antigen recognition component and the signaling component, respectively. A signal transmitted by BCR modulates gene expression, adhesion or survival, thereby determining the fate of antigen-encountered B cells. BCR proximal signaling occurs within cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich plasma membrane microdomains termed lipid rafts, and involves tyrosine kinases such as Lyn, Syk and Btk and the adapter molecule SLP65/BLNK. Although the distal signaling cascades via BCR are not yet fully elucidated, various components are already identified, such as lipid kinases and small G-proteins. BCR signaling is regulated by various membrane molecules termed co-receptors such as CD19 and CD22. The BCR co-receptors appear to be required for normal immune functions. Viral proteins such as LMP2 also regulate BCR signaling to maintain viral latency. Various aspects of BCR signaling and its regulatory mechanisms are discussed in this issue.
An immune response based on directed amplification of specific receptors for antigen produced through a somatic diversification process, and allowing for enhanced response to subsequent exposures to the same antigen (immunological memory).
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
A series of molecular signals which triggers the apoptotic death of a cell. The pathway starts with reception of a signal, and ends when the execution phase of apoptosis is triggered.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a member of the SRC-related TEC family of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). DT-40 lymphoma B cells, rendered BTK-deficient through targeted disruption of the btk gene by homologous recombination knockout, did not undergo radiation-induced apoptosis, but cells with disrupted lyn or syk genes did. Introduction of the wild-type, or a SRC homology 2 domain or a plecstrin homology domain mutant (but not a kinase domain mutant), human btk gene into BTK-deficient cells restored the apoptotic response to radiation. Thus, BTK is the PTK responsible for triggering radiation-induced apoptosis of lymphoma B cells, and its kinase domain is indispensable for the apoptotic response.
The change in morphology and behavior of a mature or immature B cell resulting from exposure to a mitogen, cytokine, chemokine, cellular ligand, or an antigen for which it is specific.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
The process in which a signal is passed on to downstream components within the cell through the I-kappaB-kinase (IKK)-dependent activation of NF-kappaB. The cascade begins with activation of a trimeric IKK complex (consisting of catalytic kinase subunits IKKalpha and/or IKKbeta, and the regulatory scaffold protein NEMO) and ends with the regulation of transcription of target genes by NF-kappaB. In a resting state, NF-kappaB dimers are bound to I-kappaB proteins, sequestering NF-kappaB in the cytoplasm. Phosphorylation of I-kappaB targets I-kappaB for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, thus releasing the NF-kappaB dimers, which can translocate to the nucleus to bind DNA and regulate transcription.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
The process in which a signal is passed on to downstream components within the cell, which become activated themselves to further propagate the signal and finally trigger a change in the function or state of the cell.
The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) is composed of the membrane form of the immunoglobulin (Ig) and the Ig-alpha/Ig-beta heterodimer, which function as the antigen recognition component and the signaling component, respectively. A signal transmitted by BCR modulates gene expression, adhesion or survival, thereby determining the fate of antigen-encountered B cells. BCR proximal signaling occurs within cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich plasma membrane microdomains termed lipid rafts, and involves tyrosine kinases such as Lyn, Syk and Btk and the adapter molecule SLP65/BLNK. Although the distal signaling cascades via BCR are not yet fully elucidated, various components are already identified, such as lipid kinases and small G-proteins. BCR signaling is regulated by various membrane molecules termed co-receptors such as CD19 and CD22. The BCR co-receptors appear to be required for normal immune functions. Viral proteins such as LMP2 also regulate BCR signaling to maintain viral latency. Various aspects of BCR signaling and its regulatory mechanisms are discussed in this issue.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the mesoderm over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The mesoderm is the middle germ layer that develops into muscle, bone, cartilage, blood and connective tissue.
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is an inherited immunodeficiency disease associated with a block in differentiation from pre-B to B cells. The XLA gene encodes a 659 amino acids cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase named btk (Bruton's tyrosine kinase). The few btk gene alterations so far reported in XLA patients are heterogenous and distributed in all domains of the btk protein. They appear to be responsible for a range of B cell immunodeficiency disorders of variable severity. Rare families in which XLA is inherited together with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) have been reported. Genetic analysis has shown that this disease association maps to the same region of the X chromosome as XLA, but whether the two phenotypes are caused by a common or different developmental or biochemical mechanism is unknown. We have analyzed the btk gene of a patient with XLA and IGHD. RT-PCR analysis of btk transcripts, sequencing data obtained from cDNA and genomic DNA and in vitro splicing assays showed that an intronic point mutation (1882 + 5G-->A) is responsible for skipping of an exon located in the tyrosine kinase domain. This exon-skipping event results in a frameshift leading to a premature stop codon 14 amino acids downstream, and in the loss of the last 61 residues of the carboxy-terminal end of the protein. Although we studied a sporadic case, the results suggest that an alteration of the btk gene might cause this unusual phenotype.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) is composed of the membrane form of the immunoglobulin (Ig) and the Ig-alpha/Ig-beta heterodimer, which function as the antigen recognition component and the signaling component, respectively. A signal transmitted by BCR modulates gene expression, adhesion or survival, thereby determining the fate of antigen-encountered B cells. BCR proximal signaling occurs within cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich plasma membrane microdomains termed lipid rafts, and involves tyrosine kinases such as Lyn, Syk and Btk and the adapter molecule SLP65/BLNK. Although the distal signaling cascades via BCR are not yet fully elucidated, various components are already identified, such as lipid kinases and small G-proteins. BCR signaling is regulated by various membrane molecules termed co-receptors such as CD19 and CD22. The BCR co-receptors appear to be required for normal immune functions. Viral proteins such as LMP2 also regulate BCR signaling to maintain viral latency. Various aspects of BCR signaling and its regulatory mechanisms are discussed in this issue.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase important in B-lymphocyte development, differentiation, and signaling. Btk is a member of the Tec family of kinases. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid) in mice. Activation of Btk triggers a cascade of signaling events that culminates in the generation of calcium mobilization and fluxes, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and transcriptional regulation involving nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In B cells, NF-kappaB was shown to bind to the Btk promoter and induce transcription, whereas the B-cell receptor-dependent NF-kappaB signaling pathway requires functional Btk. Moreover, Btk activation is tightly regulated by a plethora of other signaling proteins including protein kinase C (PKC), Sab/SH3BP5, and caveolin-1. For example, the prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates Btk by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation and steady state levels of Btk. It is intriguing that PKC and Pin1, both of which are negative regulators, bind to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. To this end, we describe here novel mutations in the pleckstrin homology domain investigated for their transforming capacity. In particular, we show that the mutant D43R behaves similar to E41K, already known to possess such activity.
The cellular synthesis of RNA on a template of DNA.
IEAUniProtKB KW
Enzymatic activity
This protein acts as an enzyme. It is known to catalyze the following reaction
EC 2.7.10.2: ATP + a [protein]-L-tyrosine ⇄ ADP + a [protein]-L-tyrosine phosphate.
CuratedUniProtKB
It requires the following cofactor
Binds 1 zinc ion per subunit.
CuratedUniProtKB
It is regulated in the following manner
Activated by phosphorylation. In primary B lymphocytes, is almost always non-phosphorylated and is thus catalytically inactive. Stimulation of TLR8 and TLR9 causes BTK activation. As a negative feedback mechanism to fine-tune BCR signaling, activated PRKCB down-modulates BTK function via direct phosphorylation of BTK at Ser-180, resulting in translocation of BTK back to the cytoplasmic fraction. PIN1, SH3BP5, and IBTK were also identified as BTK activity inhibitors. Interaction with CAV1 leads to dramatic down-regulation of the kinase activity of BTK. LFM-13A is a specific inhibitor of BTK. Dasatinib, a cancer drug acting as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, also blocks BTK activity.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), a member of the Tec family of protein-tyrosine kinases, has been shown to be crucial for B cell development, differentiation, and signaling. Mutations in the Btk gene lead to X-linked agammaglobulinemia in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency in mice. Using a co-transfection approach, we present evidence here that Btk interacts physically with caveolin-1, a 22-kDa integral membrane protein, which is the principal structural and regulatory component of caveolae membranes. In addition, we found that native Bmx, another member of the Tec family kinases, is associated with endogenous caveolin-1 in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Second, in transient transfection assays, expression of caveolin-1 leads to a substantial reduction in the in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation of both Btk and its constitutively active form, E41K. Furthermore, a caveolin-1 scaffolding peptide (amino acids 82--101) functionally suppressed the autokinase activity of purified recombinant Btk protein. Third, we demonstrate that mouse splenic B-lymphocytes express substantial amounts of caveolin-1. Interestingly, caveolin-1 was found to be constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine 14 in these cells. The expression of caveolin-1 in B-lymphocytes and its interaction with Btk may have implications not only for B cell activation and signaling, but also for antigen presentation.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a primary surveillance system for the detection of pathogens and are crucial to the activation of host defense. TLR7 and TLR8 sense single-stranded RNA from viruses or host ribonucleoproteins and synthetic imidazoquinolines such as R848, whereas TLR9 senses unmethylated CpG motifs in viral and bacterial DNA and in host DNA. Here we report the endogenous interaction between Brutons's tyrosine kinase (Btk) and human TLR8 and TLR9 in the monocytic cell line THP1. We also show that R848, single-stranded RNA, and CpGB-DNA activate Btk in THP1 cells as shown by phosphorylation of the tyrosine 223 residue of Btk and also by increased autokinase activity. We demonstrate that Btk is required for NFkappaB activation, participating in the pathway to increased phosphorylation of p65 on serine 536 activated by TLR8 and TLR9. Finally we demonstrate that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) that have dysfunctional Btk are impaired in the induction of interleukin-6 by CpGB-DNA. This study therefore establishes Btk as a key signaling molecule that interacts with and acts downstream of TLR8 and TLR9. Lack of functioning Btk in XLA patients downstream of TLR8 and TLR9 might explain the susceptibility of XLA patients to viral infections.
Toll-like receptor (TLR) signals that initiate innate immune responses to pathogens must be tightly regulated to prevent excessive inflammatory damage to the host. The adaptor protein Mal is specifically involved in signaling via TLR2 and TLR4. We demonstrate here that after TLR2 and TLR4 stimulation Mal becomes phosphorylated by Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) and then interacts with SOCS-1, which results in Mal polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Removal of SOCS-1 regulation potentiates Mal-dependent p65 phosphorylation and transactivation of NF-kappaB, leading to amplified inflammatory responses. These data identify a target of SOCS-1 that regulates TLR signaling via a mechanism distinct from an autocrine cytokine response. The transient activation of Mal and subsequent SOCS-1-mediated degradation is a rapid and selective means of limiting primary innate immune response.
Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk) is expressed in B-lymphocytes. Mutations in Btk cause X-linked agammaglobulinemia in humans. However, the mechanism of activation and signaling of this enzyme has not been fully investigated. We have here shown that the peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) Pin1 is a negative regulator of Btk, controlling its expression level by reducing its half-life, whereas the catalytic activity of Btk was unaffected. The negative regulatory effect of Pin1 was observed both in cell lines and in Pin(-/-) mice and was found to be dependent on a functionally intact Btk. This may constitute a feedback loop for the regulation of Btk. The target region in Btk was localized to the pleckstrin homology domain suggesting that interphase phosphorylation of serine 115 (Ser-115) in Btk is required, whereas mitosis phosphorylation of serine 21 (Ser-21) is critical. Accordingly, Pin 1 was shown to associate with Btk through binding to Ser-21 and -115, respectively, both of which lie in a classical Pin1-binding pocket. Using a phosphomitotic antibody, it was found that Btk harbors a bona fide MPM2 epitope corresponding to a phosphorylated serine or threonine residue followed by a proline. Our results indicate that the peptidylprolyl isomerase Pin1 interacts with Btk in a cell cycle-dependent manner, regulating the Btk expression level.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is required for human and mouse B cell development. Btk deficiency causes X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency in mice. Unlike Src proteins, Btk lacks a negative regulatory domain at the COOH terminus and may rely on cytoplasmic Btk-binding proteins to regulates its kinase activity by trans-inhibitor mechanisms. Consistent with this possibility, IBtk, which we identified as an inhibitor of Btk, bound to the PH domain of Btk. IBtk downregulated Btk kinase activity, Btk-mediated calcium mobilization and nuclear factor-kappaB-driven transcription. These results define a potential mechanism for the regulation of Btk function in B cells.
Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) result in X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans and X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) in mice. While targeted disruption of the protein kinase C-beta (PKCbeta) gene in mice results in an immunodeficiency similar to xid, the overall tyrosine phosphorylation of Btk is significantly enhanced in PKCbeta-deficient B cells. We provide direct evidence that PKCbeta acts as a feedback loop inhibitor of Btk activation. Inhibition of PKCbeta results in a dramatic increase in B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated Ca2+ signaling. We identified a highly conserved PKCbeta serine phosphorylation site in a short linker within the Tec homology domain of Btk. Mutation of this phosphorylation site led to enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation and membrane association of Btk, and augmented BCR and FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling in B and mast cells, respectively. These findings provide a novel mechanism whereby reversible translocation of Btk/Tec kinases regulates the threshold for immunoreceptor signaling and thereby modulates lymphocyte activation.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96, 6341-6346 (1999)[PubMed:10339589]
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that is crucial for human and murine B cell development, and its deficiency causes human X-linked agammaglobulinemia and murine X-linked immunodeficiency. In this report, we describe the function of the Btk-binding protein Sab (SH3-domain binding protein that preferentially associates with Btk), which we reported previously as a newly identified Src homology 3 domain-binding protein. Sab was shown to inhibit the auto- and transphosphorylation activity of Btk, which prompted us to propose that Sab functions as a transregulator of Btk. Forced overexpression of Sab in B cells led to the reduction of B cell antigen receptor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Btk and significantly reduced both early and late B cell antigen receptor-mediated events, including calcium mobilization, inositol 1, 4,5-trisphosphate production, and apoptotic cell death, where the involvement of Btk activity has been demonstrated previously. Together, these results indicate the negative regulatory role of Sab in the B cell cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase pathway.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) plays a crucial role in B cell development. Overexpression of Btk with a Src family kinase increases tyrosine phosphorylation and catalytic activity of Btk. This occurs by transphosphorylation at Y551 in the Btk catalytic domain and the enhancement of Btk autophosphorylation at a second site. A gain-of-function mutant called Btk* containing E41 to K change within the pleckstrin homology domain induces fibroblast transformation. Btk* enhances the transphosphorylation of Y551 by endogenous Src family tyrosine kinases and autophosphorylation at the second site. We mapped the major Btk autophosphorylation site to Y223 within the SH3 domain. Mutation of Y223 to F blocks Btk autophosphorylation and dramatically potentiates the transforming activity of Btk* in fibroblasts. The location of Y223 in a potential ligand-binding pocket suggests that autophosphorylation regulates SH3-mediated signaling by Btk.
Protein involved in adaptive immunity. Vertebrates can develop a broad and almost infinite repertoire of antigen-specific receptors, which allows vertebrates to recognize almost any potential pathogen or toxin and to mount antigen-specific responses to it. Two types of adaptive immunity systems have evolved in vertebrates in order to generate immune receptor diversity. The jawed vertebrates strategy uses the V(D)JC recombination to achieve combinatorial diversity of immunoglobulin-based B cell receptors and T cell receptors. The jawless vertebrate strategy uses the somatic rearrangements of variable leucine-rich cassettes in the variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs). The hallmarks of an adaptive immune system is the production of antigen-specific recognition receptor by somatic gene rearrangement. The long life of some antigen-primed cytotoxic lymphocytes and plasma cells provide protective memory to prevent reinvasion.
Protein involved in apoptotic programmed cell death. Apoptosis is characterized by cell morphological changes, including blebbing, cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation and chromosomal DNA fragmentation, and eventually death. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis produces cell fragments, called apoptotic bodies, that phagocytic cells are able to engulf and quickly remove before the contents of the cell can spill out onto surrounding cells and cause damage. In general, apoptosis confers advantages during an organism's life cycle.
Protein involved in immunity, any immune system process that functions in the response of an organism to a potential internal or invasive threat. The vertebrate immune system is formed by the innate immune system (composed of phagocytes, complement, antimicrobial peptides, etc) and by the adaptive immune system which consists of T- and B- lymphocytes.
Protein involved in innate immunity, an inborn defense mechanism used by organisms to defend themselves against invasion by pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.). Initially discovered in insects which are devoid of an adaptive immune system and rely only on innate immune reactions for their defense, this immediate response accomplishes many activities including recognition and effector functions. Recognition is mediated by broad specificity, pattern recognition, receptors which recognize many related molecular structures (e.g. polysaccharides, polynucleotides) present in microorganisms but not found in the host. The innate responses include the release of antimicrobial peptides, production of cytokines, acute- phase proteins, complement. Although many different innate immune mechanisms are deployed for host defence, a unifying theme of innate immunity is the use of germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors for pathogens or damaged self components, such as the Toll-like receptors, nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (LRR)- containing receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like RNA helicases and C-type lectin receptors.
Protein involved in the transfer of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) by DNA-directed RNA polymerase. In the case of some RNA viruses, protein involved in the transfer of genetic information from RNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) by RNA-directed RNA polymerase.
Enzyme which catalyzes the transfer of the terminal phosphate of ATP to a specific tyrosine residue on its target protein. Many of these kinases play significant roles in development and cell division. Tyrosine-protein kinases can be divided into two subfamilies: receptor tyrosine kinases, which have an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain, a transmembrane domain and an extracellular ligand-binding domain; and non-receptor (cytoplasmic) tyrosine kinases, which are soluble, cytoplasmic kinases.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.