This gene encodes a member of the protein tyrosine kinase family. The encoded protein is essential for development of T lymphocytes and thymocytes, and functions in the initial step of T lymphocyte receptor-mediated signal transduction. A mutation in this gene causes chronic autoimmune arthritis, similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Mice lacking this gene are deficient in alpha-beta T lymphocytes in the thymus. In humans, mutations in this gene cause selective T-cell defect, a severe combined immunodeficiency disease characterized by a selective absence of CD8-positive T lymphocytes. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2014]