The 3BP2 adapter protein is required for optimal B-cell activation and thymus-independent type 2 humoral response.

3BP2 is a pleckstrin homology domain- and Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing adapter protein that is mutated in the rare human bone disorder cherubism and which has also been implicated in immunoreceptor signaling. However, a function for this protein has yet to be established. Here we show that mice lacking 3BP2 exhibited a perturbation in the peritoneal B1 and splenic marginal-zone B-cell compartments and diminished thymus-independent type 2 antigen response. 3BP2(-/-) B cells demonstrated a proliferation defect in response to antigen receptor cross-linking and a heightened sensitivity to B-cell receptor-induced death via a caspase-3-dependent apoptotic pathway. We show that 3BP2 binds via its SH2 domain to the CD19 signaling complex and is required for optimum Syk phosphorylation and calcium flux.