INITIATION AND PROCESSING OF SIGNALS FROM THE B-CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTOR

Current models of signal transduction from the antigen receptors on B and T cells still resemble equations with several unknown elements. Da ta from recent knockout experiments in cell lines and mice contradict the assumption that Src-family kinase and tyrosine kinases of the Syk/ Zap-70 family are the transducer elements that set signaling from thes e receptors in motion. Using a functional definition of signaling elem ents, we discuss the current knowledge of signaling events from the BC R and suggest the existence of an as-yet-unknown BCR transducer comple x.