B-cell linker

[5] This leucine zipper motif distinguishes BLNK from lymphoctye cytosolic protein 2, also known as LCP-2 or SLP-76, which plays a similar role in T cell receptor signaling.

[6] BLNK is essential for normal B-cell development as part of the B cell receptor signaling pathway.

[supplied by OMIM][10][23][24] Evidence also suggests that BLNK may have tumor suppressive activity through its interaction with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) [25][26] and regulation of the pre-B cell checkpoint.

[14][27] The acidic region of BLNK contains several inducibly phosphorylated tyrosine residues, at least five of which are found in humans.

[28] Evidence suggests that BLNK is phosphorylated by the tyrosine-protein kinase Syk after B cell receptor activation.

BLNK’s function and interaction shown in a schematic of BCR signaling pathways. BCR antigen recognition activates Src family kinases , including the SYK and BTK tyrosine kinases . Syk then phosphorylates BLNK, which can recruit downstream signaling molecules such as Grb2 , PLCG2 , Vav and Nck .