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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/tyrobp/

TYROBP gene

transmembrane immune signaling adaptor TYROBP

Normal Function

The TYROBP gene provides instructions for making the TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding (TYROBP) protein. This protein is found in a variety of cells that are produced in bone marrow (myeloid cells) and other immune system cells (lymphoid cells). The protein is located on the cell surface, where it helps transmit chemical signals that activate the cell.

The TYROBP protein interacts with several other proteins on the surface of cells. For example, it forms a complex with the protein produced from the TREM2 gene. The TYROBP protein and its partners were first identified in the immune system, where they activate certain cells (such as natural killer cells and dendritic cells) that trigger an inflammatory response to injury or disease.

The TYROBP-TREM2 complex also activates cells in the skeletal system and in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In the skeletal system, the complex is found in osteoclasts, which are specialized cells that break down and remove (resorb) bone tissue that is no longer needed. These cells are involved in bone remodeling, which is a normal process that replaces old bone tissue with new bone.

In the central nervous system, the TYROBP-TREM2 complex appears to play an important role in immune cells called microglia. These cells protect the brain and spinal cord from foreign invaders and remove dead nerve cells and other debris. Although the TYROBP-TREM2 complex plays a critical role in osteoclasts and microglia, its exact function in these cells is unclear.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy

Variants (also called mutations) in the TYROBP gene have been identified in people with polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy (commonly known as PLOSL). One TYROBP gene variant has been found to cause PLOSL in all affected people of Finnish ancestry. This variant deletes a large portion of the TYROBP gene, which prevents the cell from producing any proteins from this gene. Variants in other populations often result in the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the protein or prevent the protein from reaching the cell surface.

Researchers believe that the signs and symptoms of PLOSL are related to defective TYROBP-TREM2 signaling in osteoclasts and microglia. The bone abnormalities seen in people with this disorder are probably related to malfunctioning osteoclasts, which are less able to resorb bone tissue during bone remodeling. In the central nervous system, defective signaling through the TYROBP-TREM2 complex causes widespread abnormalities of microglia. Researchers are working to determine how these abnormalities lead to the neurological problems associated with PLOSL.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • DAP12
  • DNAX-activation protein 12
  • KAR-associated protein
  • KARAP
  • killer activating receptor associated protein
  • TYOBP_HUMAN

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Bouchon A, Hernandez-Munain C, Cella M, Colonna M. A DAP12-mediated pathway regulates expression of CC chemokine receptor 7 and maturation of human dendritic cells. J Exp Med. 2001 Oct 15;194(8):1111-22. doi: 10.1084/jem.194.8.1111. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Humphrey MB, Ogasawara K, Yao W, Spusta SC, Daws MR, Lane NE, Lanier LL, Nakamura MC. The signaling adapter protein DAP12 regulates multinucleation during osteoclast development. J Bone Miner Res. 2004 Feb;19(2):224-34. doi: 10.1359/JBMR.0301234. Epub 2003 Dec 16. Citation on PubMed
  • Kiialainen A, Hovanes K, Paloneva J, Kopra O, Peltonen L. Dap12 and Trem2, molecules involved in innate immunity and neurodegeneration, are co-expressed in the CNS. Neurobiol Dis. 2005 Mar;18(2):314-22. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2004.09.007. Citation on PubMed
  • Kiialainen A, Veckman V, Saharinen J, Paloneva J, Gentile M, Hakola P, Hemelsoet D, Ridha B, Kopra O, Julkunen I, Peltonen L. Transcript profiles of dendritic cells of PLOSL patients link demyelinating CNS disorders with abnormalities in pathways of actin bundling and immune response. J Mol Med (Berl). 2007 Sep;85(9):971-83. doi: 10.1007/s00109-007-0191-4. Epub 2007 May 26. Citation on PubMed
  • Klunemann HH, Ridha BH, Magy L, Wherrett JR, Hemelsoet DM, Keen RW, De Bleecker JL, Rossor MN, Marienhagen J, Klein HE, Peltonen L, Paloneva J. The genetic causes of basal ganglia calcification, dementia, and bone cysts: DAP12 and TREM2. Neurology. 2005 May 10;64(9):1502-7. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000160304.00003.CA. Citation on PubMed
  • Lanier LL, Corliss BC, Wu J, Leong C, Phillips JH. Immunoreceptor DAP12 bearing a tyrosine-based activation motif is involved in activating NK cells. Nature. 1998 Feb 12;391(6668):703-7. doi: 10.1038/35642. Citation on PubMed
  • Paloneva J, Autti T, Hakola P, Haltia MJ. Polycystic Lipomembranous Osteodysplasia with Sclerosing Leukoencephalopathy. 2002 Jan 24 [updated 2020 Dec 10]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1197/ Citation on PubMed
  • Paloneva J, Kestila M, Wu J, Salminen A, Bohling T, Ruotsalainen V, Hakola P, Bakker AB, Phillips JH, Pekkarinen P, Lanier LL, Timonen T, Peltonen L. Loss-of-function mutations in TYROBP (DAP12) result in a presenile dementia with bone cysts. Nat Genet. 2000 Jul;25(3):357-61. doi: 10.1038/77153. Citation on PubMed
  • Paloneva J, Mandelin J, Kiialainen A, Bohling T, Prudlo J, Hakola P, Haltia M, Konttinen YT, Peltonen L. DAP12/TREM2 deficiency results in impaired osteoclast differentiation and osteoporotic features. J Exp Med. 2003 Aug 18;198(4):669-75. doi: 10.1084/jem.20030027. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Paloneva J, Manninen T, Christman G, Hovanes K, Mandelin J, Adolfsson R, Bianchin M, Bird T, Miranda R, Salmaggi A, Tranebjaerg L, Konttinen Y, Peltonen L. Mutations in two genes encoding different subunits of a receptor signaling complex result in an identical disease phenotype. Am J Hum Genet. 2002 Sep;71(3):656-62. doi: 10.1086/342259. Epub 2002 Jun 21. Erratum In: Am J Hum Genet. 2003 Jan;72(1):225. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Takaki R, Watson SR, Lanier LL. DAP12: an adapter protein with dual functionality. Immunol Rev. 2006 Dec;214:118-29. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-065X.2006.00466.x. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.