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.

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SummaryImmunoglobulin (Ig) antigen receptors are composed of a noncovalently-associated complex of Ig and two other proteins, Igo~ and Ig3. The cytoplasmic domain of both of these Ig associated proteins contains a consensus sequence that is shared with the signaling proteins of the T cell and Fc receptor. To test the idea that Igc~-IgB heterodimers are the signaling components of the Ig receptor, we have studied Ig mutations that interfere with signal transduction. We find that specific mutations in the transmembrane domain of Ig that inactivate Ca 2+ and phosphorylation responses also uncouple IgM from Igoe-Ig/3. These results define amino acid residues that are essential for the assembly of the Ig receptor. Further, receptor activity can be fully reconstituted in Ca 2+ flux and phosphorylation assays by fusing the cytoplasmic domain of Igct with the mutant Igs. In contrast, fusion of the cytoplasmic domain of Ig~ to the inactive Ig reconstitutes only Ca z+ responses. Thus, Igor and IgB are both necessary and sufficient to mediate signal transduction by the Ig receptor in B cells. In addition, our results suggest that IgoL and IgB can activate different signaling pathways.

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