Brutons tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a member of the BTK/Tec family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases. Like other BTK family members, it contains a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, Src homology SH3 and SH2 domains. BTK plays an important role in B cell development. Activation of B cells by various ligands is accompanied by BTK membrane translocation mediated by its PH domain binding to phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate. The activation of BTK is negatively regulated by PKC beta through phosphorylation of BTK at Ser180, which results in reduced membrane recruitment, transphosphorylation and subsequent activation.