BTK, Active

BTK (also known as Bruton tyrosine kinase) plays a crucial role in B-lymphocyte differentiation and activation. BTK interacts with SRC homology 3 domains of FYN, LYN and HCK that are activated upon stimulation of B- and T-cell receptors (1). Defects in the BTK gene cause Agammaglobulinemia, an X-linked immunodeficiency characterized by failure to produce mature B lymphocyte cells and associated with a failure of Ig heavy chain rearrangement. The unique role of BTK makes it a desirable target for potential anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral agents as well as other treatments (2).