Ligation of the B cell antigen-receptor triggers an intricate maze of inter
calated biochemical events that ultimately affect B cell biological respons
es; Recent advances have helped to connect many loose ends by identifying k
ey adaptor proteins, such as BLNK/SLP-65, defining crucial roles for phosph
atidylinositol-3-kinase and mapping pathways controlling the mitogen-activa
ted protein kinases (ERK, JNK and p38).