LYN

LYN is a myristoylated Src-family tyrosine kinase prominently expressed in B lymphocytes, mast cells and myeloid cells. Uniquely among Src kinases, LYN plays dual, opposing roles: it initiates signaling by phosphorylating ITAM motifs of the B-cell receptor and Fc-epsilon receptor complexes, yet also terminates responses by phosphorylating ITIM motifs on inhibitory receptors such as CD22 and Fc-gamma receptor IIb, which recruit phosphatases like SHIP and SHP-1. Loss of LYN therefore paradoxically causes both impaired BCR signaling and autoimmune-like disease. LYN participates in mast cell degranulation and IgE-mediated allergy. Aberrant LYN expression is reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and B-cell lymphomas.