High impact information on BLK

• Expression of BLK in immature T cells suggests that BLK may play an important role in thymopoiesis [1].
• Only one of the transcripts corresponds to a known gene, encoding B-lymphocyte specific tyrosine kinase, BLK [2].
• To examine the effect of exercise and adrenergic blockade on lymphocyte cytokine production, six men ingested either a placebo (control) or an alpha- (prazosin hydrochloride) and beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (timolol malate) capsule (blockade, or BLK) 2 h before performing 19 +/- 1 min of supine bicycle exercise at 78 +/- 3% peak pulmonary uptake [3].
• BLK had no effect on the resting concentration of stimulated cytokine-positive T and NK lymphocytes or the amount of cytokine they were producing [3].
• METHODS: Intraoperative radiometric measurements were made with the Ophir Power/Energy Meter (LaserStar Model with silicon detector, Model PD-10) and the International Light Radiometer/Photometer (Model IL 1400 with actinic ultraviolet detector, Model SEL240) with and without UV blocking filters (BLK 270 and Schott types WG-280 and WG-230) [4].

Biological context of BLK

• Through in vitro protein binding assay, interaction between mDAM1 and BLK was also confirmed [5].
• Transient coexpression of mDAM1 and BLK showed increased cell death compared to BLK expression alone in NMuMG cells [5].
• Mouse mammary gland cDNA library was screened to search for BLK-interacting protein using yeast two-hybrid system, and a mouse DNA amplified in mammary carcinoma 1 (mDAM1) was obtained. mDAM1 cDNA contained a full coding region of 678bp encoding 225 amino acids with the predicted molecular mass of 26kDa [5].
• Six endurance-trained men exercised for 20 minutes at approximately 78% of their peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) following ingestion of a placebo (CON) or combined alpha- (prazosin hydrochloride) and beta- (timolol maleate) adrenoceptor antagonists (BLK) [6].

Anatomical context of BLK

• These results indicate that mDAM1 promotes mammary epithelial cell death and pro-apoptotic function of BLK [5].

Associations of BLK with chemical compounds

• In BLK, the exercise-induced increase in plasma glucose was abolished (0 minutes: 5.7 +/- 0.3; 20 minutes: 5.7 +/- 0.1 mmol. L(-1)) [6].
• Free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol were lower (P <.05) in BLK [6].
• High BLK I values may result if the specimen being analyzed contains a fluorophore that will compete with the fluorescein-labeled antibody used in the assay [7].
• When that subject's urine was tested using Abbott TDx drugs-of-abuse assays a number of tests resulted in a MX BKG error and all samples had BLK I values greater than those observed with normal urine specimens [7].

Regulatory relationships of BLK

• Mouse DAM1 regulates pro-apoptotic activity of BLK in mammary epithelial cells [5].

Other interactions of BLK

• In BLK, plasma insulin and catecholamines were higher (P <.05), while plasma glucagon was unchanged from CON [6].

References