Preferred Label : B Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway;
NCIt synonyms : BCR Signaling Pathway;
Alternative definition : KEGG: B cells are an important component of adaptive immunity. They produce and secrete
millions of different antibody molecules, each of which recognizes a different (foreign)
antigen. The B cell receptor (BCR) is an integral membrane protein complex that is
composed of two immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chains, two Ig light chains and two heterodimers
of Ig-alpha and Ig-beta. After BCR ligation by antigen, three main protein tyrosine
kinases (PTKs) -the SRC-family kinase LYN, SYK and the TEC-family kinase BTK- are
activated. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phospholipase C-gamma 2 (PLC-gamma
2) are important downstream effectors of BCR signalling. This signalling ultimately
results in the expression of immediate early genes that further activate the expression
of other genes involved in B cell proliferation, differentiation and Ig production
as well as other processes.;