New views of BCR structure and organization

Recent work has provided new insights into the stoichiometry of BCR subunits, as well as the organization of the BCR before and after engagement by antigen. On resting cells, the BCR may be pre-assembled into oligomeric receptor complexes that generate a basal level of signaling. After antigen binding, the BCR may be organized into larger receptor arrays that reside in lipid rafts — sites where signaling enzymes are concentrated. The critical role of BCR assembly and organization in B cell function is underscored by the recent findings that this process is altered in many B cell tumors.