Abstract :
The absence of the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) causes partial inhibition of mast-cell responses. The LAT homolog, non-T-cell activation linker (NTAL), also termed linker for activation of B cells (LAB), might compensate in the absence of LAT. Recent studies reveal that NTAL/LAB-deficiency causes enhanced LAT function and augments mast-cell responses. However, deletion of both of these lipid raft-associated transmembrane adaptor proteins inhibits mast-cell responsiveness to a greater extent than deletion of LAT alone. The new findings reveal a dual function for NTAL/LAB, which might manifest on mast-cell activation.
