Activation of protein tyrosine kinase p72syk by Fc epsilon RI aggregation in rat basophilic leukemia cells. p72syk is a minor component but the major protein tyrosine kinase of pp72

Arsenic inhibits mast cell degranulation via suppression of early tyrosine phosphorylation events

Exposure to arsenic is a global health concern. We previously documented an inhibitory effect of inorganic Arsenite on IgE-mediated degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells (Hutchinson et al., 2011; J. Appl. Toxicol. 31: 231-241). Mast cells are tissue-resident cells that are positioned at the host-environment interface, thereby serving vital roles in many physiological processes and disease states, in addition to their well-known roles in allergy and asthma. Upon activation, mast cells secrete several mediators from cytoplasmic granules, in degranulation. The present study is an investigation of Arsenite's molecular target(s) in the degranulation pathway. Here, we report that arsenic does not affect degranulation stimulated by either the Ca(2) (+) ionophore A23187 or thapsigargin, which both bypass early signaling events. Arsenic also does not alter degranulation initiated by another non-IgE-mediated mast cell stimulant, the G-protein activator compound 48/80. However, arsenic inhibits Ca(2) (+) influx into antigen-activated mast cells. These results indicate that the target of arsenic in the degranulation pathway is upstream of the Ca(2) (+) influx. Phospho-Syk and phospho-p85 phosphoinositide 3-kinase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays data show that arsenic inhibits early phosphorylation events. Taken together, this evidence indicates that the mechanism underlying arsenic inhibition of mast cell degranulation occurs at the early tyrosine phosphorylation steps in the degranulation pathway. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gammadelta T cells: innately adaptive immune cells?

T cells employ a cell surface heterodimeric molecule, the T cell receptor (TCR), to recognize specific antigens (Ags) presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and carry out adaptive immune responses. Most T cells possess a TCR with an α and a β chain. However, a TCR constituted by a γ and a δ chain has been described, defining a novel subset of T cells. γδ TCRs specific for a wide variety of ligands, including bacterial phosphoantigens, nonclassical MHC-I molecules and unprocessed proteins, have been found, greatly expanding the horizons of T cell immune recognition. This review aims to provide background in γδ T cell history and function in mouse and man, as well as to provide a critical view of some of the latest developments on this still enigmatic class of immune cells.

Mast cell signaling: the role of protein tyrosine kinase Syk, its activation and screening methods for new pathway participants

The aggregation by antigen of the IgE bound to its high affinity receptor on mast cells initiates a complex series of biochemical events that result in the release of inflammatory mediators. The essential role of the protein tyrosine kinase Syk has been appreciated for some time, and newer results have defined the mechanism of its activation. The use of siRNA has defined the relative contribution of Syk, Fyn and Gab2 to signaling and has made possible a screening study to identify previously unrecognized molecules that are involved in these pathways.

The tyrosine kinase network regulating mast cell activation

Mast cell mediator release represents a pivotal event in the initiation of inflammatory reactions associated with allergic disorders. These responses follow antigen-mediated aggregation of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-occupied high-affinity receptors for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) on the mast cell surface, a response which can be further enhanced following stem cell factor-induced ligation of the mast cell growth factor receptor KIT (CD117). Activation of tyrosine kinases is central to the ability of both Fc epsilon RI and KIT to transmit downstream signaling events required for the regulation of mast cell activation. Whereas KIT possesses inherent tyrosine kinase activity, Fc epsilon RI requires the recruitment of Src family tyrosine kinases and Syk to control the early receptor-proximal signaling events. The signaling pathways propagated by these tyrosine kinases can be further upregulated by the Tec kinase Bruton's tyrosine kinase and downregulated by the actions of the tyrosine Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) and SHP-2. In this review, we discuss the regulation and role of specific members of this tyrosine kinase network in KIT and Fc epsilon RI-mediated mast cell activation.

Analysis of Proteins Binding to the ITAM Motif of the β-Subunit of the High-Affinity Receptor for IgE (FcεRI)

Aggregation of the multichain (alphabetagamma2) high-affinity IgE receptor (Fcepsilon RI) initiates a signaling cascade that results in the release of allergic mediators. The cytoplasmic tails of the FcepsilonRI-beta and -gamma subunits contain immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs). Phosphorylation of the gammaITAM mediates activation of Syk kinase and is sufficient for triggering the responses induced by Fcepsilon RI crosslinking. Phosphorylation of the betaITAM is insufficient to mediate cell activation. The rat betaITAM contains three tyrosines (Tyr218, Tyr224, and Tyr228) with an intermediate noncanonical tyrosine. Synthetic peptides based on the ITAM of the FcepsilonRI-beta subunit were used to investigate the role of each phosphotyrosine in the binding of signaling proteins to this motif. Among the proteins that bind to phosphorylated beta ITAM are Syk, Grb2, Shc, SHIP, and SHP-1, and binding does not depend on previous cell activation. Nonphosphorylated peptides do not bind these proteins. Syk binding to beta-peptides is dependent on the number and position of phosphotyrosines in the ITAM. Phosphorylation of Tyr218 seems to be most important for Syk binding. Recruitment of Syk and other signaling proteins to the beta-subunit might be important for its amplifier role.

Sustained activation of the tyrosine kinase Syk by antigen in mast cells requires local Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels

Mast cell activation involves cross-linking of IgE receptors followed by phosphorylation of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Syk. This results in activation of the plasma membrane-bound enzyme phospholipase Cgamma1, which hydrolyzes the minor membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to generate diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate. Inositol trisphosphate raises cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores. This Ca2+ release phase is accompanied by sustained Ca2+ influx through store-operated Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels. Here, we find that engagement of IgE receptors activates Syk, and this leads to Ca2+ release from stores followed by Ca2+ influx. The Ca2+ influx phase then sustains Syk activity. The Ca2+ influx pathway activated by these receptors was identified as the CRAC channel, because pharmacological block of the channels with either a low concentration of Gd3+ or exposure to the novel CRAC channel blocker 3-fluoropyridine-4-carboxylic acid (2',5'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4-yl)amide or RNA interference knockdown of Orai1, which encodes the CRAC channel pore, all prevented the increase in Syk activity triggered by Ca2+ entry. CRAC channels and Syk are spatially close together, because increasing cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffering with the fast Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis failed to prevent activation of Syk by Ca2+ entry. Our results reveal a positive feedback step in mast cell activation where receptor-triggered Syk activation and subsequent Ca2+ release opens CRAC channels, and the ensuing local Ca2+ entry then maintains Syk activity. Ca2+ entry through CRAC channels therefore provides a means whereby the Ca2+ and tyrosine kinase signaling pathways can interact with one another.

TOM1L1 is a Lyn substrate involved in FcepsilonRI signaling in mast cells

Protein-tyrosine kinase Lyn and Syk are critical for antigen-receptor-induced signal transduction in mast cells. To identify novel Lyn/Syk substrates, we screened an RBL-2H3 bacterial expression library for proteins that were tyrosine phosphorylated with baculoviral expressed Lyn or Syk. Five clones as potential Lyn substrates and eight clones as Syk substrates were identified including known substrates such as SLP-76, LAT, and alpha-tubulin. A potential substrate of Lyn identified was the molecule TOM1L1, which has several domains thought to be important for membrane trafficking and protein-protein interactions. Because the function of TOM1L1 is unclear, the rat TOM1L1 full-length cDNA was isolated and used to express the protein in COS-1 and RBL-2H3 mast cells. In COS-1 cells, the co-transfection of TOM1L1 and Lyn, but not Syk, resulted in the tyrosine phosphorylation of TOM1L1. In RBL-2H3 mast cells, the overexpressed TOM1L1 was strongly tyrosine phosphorylated in non-stimulated cells, and this phosphorylation was enhanced by FcepsilonRI aggregation. By subcellular fractionation, wild-type TOM1L1 was mainly in the cytoplasm with a small fraction constitutively associated with the membrane; this association was markedly reduced in deletion mutants lacking several of the protein interaction domains. The overexpression of TOM1L1 enhanced antigen-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha generation and release. Both protein interaction domains (VHS and the coiled-coil domains) were required for the increased TNFalpha release, but not the increased TNFalpha generation. These results suggest that TOM1L1 is a novel protein involved in the FcepsilonRI signal transduction for the generation of cytokines.

Negative Regulation of FcϵRI-mediated Signaling and Mast Cell Function by the Adaptor Protein LAX

LAX is a transmembrane adaptor protein that is expressed in both T and B cells. Upon stimulation via the antigen receptors, it is tyrosine-phosphorylated and binds Grb2 and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Disruption of the Lax gene causes hyperresponsiveness in T and B lymphocytes. Here, we showed that LAX was also expressed in mast cells. Upon engagement of the Fc epsilonRI, LAX was also phosphorylated and interacted with Grb2 and p85. LAX-deficient mast cells were hyperresponsive to stimulation via the Fc epsilonRI, as evidenced by enhanced degranulation, p38 MAPK, Akt, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation. This hyperresponsiveness was likely a consequence of reduced LAB expression after sensitization of mast cells with anti-dinitrophenyl IgE. In addition, Fc epsilonRI-mediated cytokine production and cell survival were also enhanced. These data suggested that LAX negatively regulates mast cell function.

The beta subunit of the type I Fcepsilon receptor is a target for peptides inhibiting IgE-mediated secretory response of mast cells

Peptides originally derived from complement component C3a were earlier shown to inhibit the type I FcepsilonR (FcepsilonRI)-mediated degranulation of mucosal type mast cells. In the present study, we show that C3a7, a peptide with a natural sequence, and its modified derivative, C3a9, are powerful inhibitors of the above response of both serosal and mucosal type mastocytes. We demonstrate that these peptides inhibit FcepsilonRI-induced membrane proximal events, suppress phosphorylation of the FcepsilonRI beta subunit, the protein tyrosine kinase Lyn, as well as the transient rise in free cytosolic Ca2+ level. The late phase of cellular response was also inhibited, as demonstrated by the reduced TNF-alpha secretion. Experiments using two independent methods provided evidence that the interaction site of complement-derived peptides is the FcepsilonRI beta-chain. This was further supported by fluorescence confocal microscopic colocalization and resonance energy transfer measurements. Taken together, these results suggest the presence of distinct "activating" and "inhibitory" motifs in the C3a sequence. Response to both is in balance under physiologic conditions. Furthermore, present data predict that such inhibitory peptides may serve as potent agents for future therapeutic intervention.

Positive and negative regulation of FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling by the adaptor protein LAB/NTAL

Linker for activation of B cells (LAB, also called NTAL; a product of wbscr5 gene) is a newly identified transmembrane adaptor protein that is expressed in B cells, NK cells, and mast cells. Upon BCR activation, LAB is phosphorylated and interacts with Grb2. LAB is capable of rescuing thymocyte development in LAT-deficient mice. To study the in vivo function of LAB, LAB-deficient mice were generated. Although disruption of the Lab gene did not affect lymphocyte development, it caused mast cells to be hyperresponsive to stimulation via the FcɛRI, evidenced by enhanced Erk activation, calcium mobilization, degranulation, and cytokine production. These data suggested that LAB negatively regulates mast cell function. However, mast cells that lacked both linker for activation of T cells (LAT) and LAB proteins had a more severe block in FcɛRI-mediated signaling than LAT^−/− mast cells, demonstrating that LAB also shares a redundant function with LAT to play a positive role in FcɛRI-mediated signaling.

RabGEF1 is a negative regulator of mast cell activation and skin inflammation

Mast cell activation induced by aggregation of Fc epsilon RI receptors with immunoglobulin E and antigen is mediated through the activation of multiple protein kinase cascades. Here we report that the regulatory protein RabGEF1 bound to Ras and negatively regulated Ras activation and its 'downstream' effector pathways in Fc epsilon RI-dependent mast cell activation. RabGEF1-deficient mast cells showed enhanced degranulation and release of lipid mediators and cytokines in response to Fc epsilon RI aggregation. RabGEF1-deficient mice developed severe skin inflammation and had increased numbers of mast cells. Thus, RabGEF1 is a negative regulator of Fc epsilon RI-dependent mast cell activation, and a lack of RabGEF1 results in the development of skin inflammation in vivo.

The four distal tyrosines are required for LAT-dependent signaling in FcepsilonRI-mediated mast cell activation

The linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is an adaptor protein critical for Fc epsilon RI-mediated mast cell activation. LAT is a substrate of the tyrosine kinases activated after TCR and Fc epsilon RI engagement. After phosphorylation of the cytosolic domain of LAT, multiple signaling molecules such as phospholipase C-gamma1, Grb2, and Gads associate with phosphorylated LAT via their SH2 domains. The essential role of the four distal tyrosines in TCR-mediated signaling and T cell development has been demonstrated by experiments using LAT-deficient cell lines and genetically modified mice. To investigate the role of these four tyrosines of LAT in Fc epsilon RI-mediated mast cell activation, bone marrow-derived mast cells from LAT-deficient mice were infected with retroviral vectors designed to express wild-type or mutant LAT. Examination of bone marrow-derived mast cells expressing various tyrosine to phenylalanine mutants in LAT demonstrates a differential requirement for these different binding sites. In these studies, assays of biochemical pathways, degranulation, and cytokine and chemokine release were performed. Finally, the role of these tyrosines was also evaluated in vivo using genetically modified animals. Deletion of all four distal tyrosines, and in particular, loss of the primary phospholipase C-gamma-binding tyrosine had a significant effect on antigen-induced histamine release.

Phosphorylation of Tyr342 in the linker region of Syk is critical for Fc epsilon RI signaling in mast cells

The linker region of Syk and ZAP70 tyrosine kinases plays an important role in regulating their function. There are three conserved tyrosines in this linker region; Tyr317 of Syk and its equivalent residue in ZAP70 were previously shown to negatively regulate the function of Syk and ZAP70. Here we studied the roles of the other two tyrosines, Tyr342 and Tyr346 of Syk, in Fc epsilon RI-mediated signaling. Antigen stimulation resulted in Tyr342 phosphorylation in mast cells. Syk with Y342F mutation failed to reconstitute Fc epsilon RI-initiated histamine release. In the Syk Y342F-expressing cells there was dramatically impaired receptor-induced phosphorylation of multiple signaling molecules, including LAT, SLP-76, phospholipase C-gamma2, but not Vav. Compared to wild-type Syk, Y342F Syk had decreased binding to phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs and reduced kinase activity. Surprisingly, mutation of Tyr346 had much less effect on Fc epsilon RI-dependent mast cell degranulation. An anti-Syk-phospho-346 tyrosine antibody indicated that antigen stimulation induced only a very minor increase in the phosphorylation of this tyrosine. Therefore, Tyr342, but not Tyr346, is critical for regulating Syk in mast cells and the function of these tyrosines in immune receptor signaling appears to be different from what has been previously reported for the equivalent residues of ZAP70.

Protein tyrosine kinase Syk in mast cell signaling

The tyrosine kinase Syk is essential for signaling from FcrepsilonRI in mast cells. The Src homology domain mediated binding of Syk to the phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based motif (ITAM) of the receptor subunits results in a conformational change and activation. Studies in Syk deficient mast cells have defined the pathways that are activated upstream and downstream of Syk and have demonstrated the functional importance of the linker region of Syk in signaling in mast cells.

Fyn kinase initiates complementary signals required for IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation

Fc epsilon RI activation of mast cells is thought to involve Lyn and Syk kinases proximal to the receptor and the signaling complex organized by the linker for activation of T cells (LAT). We report here that Fc epsilon RI also uses a Fyn kinase-dependent pathway that does not require Lyn kinase or the adapter LAT for its initiation, but is necessary for mast cell degranulation. Lyn-deficiency enhanced Fyn-dependent signals and degranulation, but inhibited the calcium response. Fyn-deficiency impaired degranulation, whereas Lyn-mediated signaling and calcium was normal. Thus, Fc epsilon RI-dependent mast cell degranulation involves cross-talk between Fyn and Lyn kinases.

Structure-function analysis of Lyn kinase association with lipid rafts and initiation of early signaling events after Fcepsilon receptor I aggregation

The first step in immunoreceptor signaling is represented by ligand-dependent receptor aggregation, followed by receptor phosphorylation mediated by tyrosine kinases of the Src family. Recently, sphingolipid- and cholesterol-rich plasma membrane microdomains, called lipid rafts, have been identified and proposed to function as platforms where signal transduction molecules may interact with the aggregated immunoreceptors. Here we show that aggregation of the receptors with high affinity for immunoglobulin E (FcepsilonRI) in mast cells is accompanied by a co-redistribution of the Src family kinase Lyn. The co-redistribution requires Lyn dual fatty acylation, Src homology 2 (SH2) and/or SH3 domains, and Lyn kinase activity, in cis or in trans. Palmitoylation site-mutated Lyn, which is anchored to the plasma membrane but exhibits reduced sublocalization into lipid rafts, initiates the tyrosine phosphorylation of FcepsilonRI subunits, Syk protein tyrosine kinase, and the linker for activation of T cells, along with an increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+). However, Lyn mutated in both the palmitoylation and myristoylation sites does not anchor to the plasma membrane and is incapable of initiating FcepsilonRI phosphorylation and early signaling events. These data, together with our finding that a constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated FcepsilonRI does not exhibit an increased association with lipid rafts, suggest that FcepsilonRI phosphorylation and early activation events can be initiated outside of lipid rafts.

SH2 domain-mediated targeting, but not localization, of Syk in the plasma membrane is critical for FcepsilonRI signaling

Aggregation of the high-affinity IgE receptor induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of subunits of the receptor and the subsequent association with the receptor of the cytosolic protein tyrosine kinase Syk. The current experiments examined the functional importance of membrane association of Syk and the role of the SH2 domain in receptor-mediated signal transduction. Wild-type Syk and chimeric Syk molecules with the c-Src myristylation sequence at the amino-terminus were expressed in a Syk-negative mast cell line. Chimeric Syk with the myristylation sequence was membrane associated, and a small fraction was constitutively colocalized with FcepsilonRI, Lyn, and LAT (linker for T-cell activation) in the glycolipid-enriched microdomains or rafts. However, even under these conditions, the tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and the downstream propagation of signals required FcepsilonRI aggregation. This chimeric Syk was less active than wild-type Syk in FcepsilonRI-mediated signal transduction. In contrast, a truncated membrane-associated form of Syk that lacked the SH2 domains was not tyrosine phosphorylated by receptor aggregation and failed to transduce intracellular signals. These findings suggest that SH2 domain-mediated membrane translocation of Syk is essential for the FcepsilonRI-mediated activation of Syk for downstream signaling events leading to histamine release. Furthermore, the localization of Syk in glycolipid-enriched microdomains by itself is not enough to generate or enhance signaling events.

Phosphorylation of Syk activation loop tyrosines is essential for Syk function. An in vivo study using a specific anti-Syk activation loop phosphotyrosine antibody

Syk is an important protein-tyrosine kinase in immunoreceptor signaling. FcepsilonRI aggregation in mast cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation and increased enzymatic activity of Syk. The two adjacent tyrosines in the Syk activation loop are thought to be important for the propagation of FcepsilonRI signaling. To evaluate the phosphorylation of these tyrosines in vivo and further understand the relationship of Syk tyrosine phosphorylation with its function, an antibody was developed specific for phosphorylated tyrosines in the activation loop of Syk. FcepsilonRI aggregation on mast cells induced the phosphorylation of both tyrosine residues of the activation loop. The kinase activity of Syk played the major role in phosphorylating its activation loop tyrosines both in vivo and in vitro. In FcepsilonRI-stimulated mast cells, the total Syk tyrosine phosphorylation paralleled the phosphorylation of its activation loop tyrosines and downstream propagation of signals for histamine release. In contrast, the cell surface binding of anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibody AA4 induced only strong general tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and minimal histamine release and weak phosphorylation of activation loop tyrosines. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation of the activation loop tyrosines is important for mediating receptor signaling and is a better marker of Syk function than is total Syk tyrosine phosphorylation.

Inhibition of calcium release-activated calcium current by Rac/Cdc42-inactivating clostridial cytotoxins in RBL cells

Using large clostridial cytotoxins as tools, the role of Rho GTPases in activation of RBL 2H3 hm1 cells was studied. Clostridium difficile toxin B, which glucosylates Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 and Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin, which glucosylates Rac and Cdc42 but not Rho, inhibited the release of hexosaminidase from RBL cells mediated by the high affinity antigen receptor (FcepsilonRI). Additionally, toxin B and lethal toxin inhibited the intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization induced by FcepsilonRI-stimulation and thapsigargin, mainly by reducing the influx of extracellular Ca(2+). In patch clamp recordings, toxin B and lethal toxin inhibited the calcium release-activated calcium current by about 45%. Calcium release-activated calcium current, the receptor-stimulated Ca(2+) influx, and secretion were inhibited neither by the Rho-ADP-ribosylating C3-fusion toxin C2IN-C3 nor by the actin-ADP-ribosylating Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin. The data indicate that Rac and Cdc42 but not Rho are not only involved in late exocytosis events but are also involved in Ca(2+) mobilization most likely by regulating the Ca(2+) influx through calcium release-activated calcium channels activated via FcepsilonRI receptor in RBL cells.

Mutations in the Activation Loop Tyrosines of Protein Tyrosine Kinase Syk Abrogate Intracellular Signaling But Not Kinase Activity

The protein tyrosine kinase Syk plays a pivotal role in mediating the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)-induced degranulation of mast cells. To examine the mechanism of Syk regulation, the two tyrosine residues at 519 and 520 in the putative activation loop of rat Syk were mutated to phenylalanine either singly or in combination. The various mutants were expressed in a Syk-negative variant of the RBL-2H3 (rat basophilic leukemia 2H3) mast cell line. In these transfected cell lines, mutant Syk did show increased tyrosine phosphorylation in vivo and increased enzymatic activity in vitro after FcεRI aggregation. There were conformational changes detected by an Ab when the wild-type and mutant Syk were either tyrosine phosphorylated or bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif peptides. However, these mutant Syk were incapable of transducing FcεRI signaling. In cells in which the expression level of mutant Syk was similar to that of the wild-type Syk, FcεRI cross-linking induced no increase in cellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation, no increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-γ2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase, and no histamine release. Overexpression of Y519F or Y520F Syk mutants partially reconstituted the signaling pathways. These results indicate that these tyrosines in the putative activation loop are not essential for the enzymatic activity of Syk or for the conformational changes induced by binding of tyrosine-phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif peptides. However, these tyrosines are necessary for Syk-mediated propagation of FcεRI signaling.

CXCR1 and CXCR2 Are Rapidly Down-Modulated by Bacterial Endotoxin Through a Unique Agonist-Independent, Tyrosine Kinase-Dependent Mechanism

The expression of the seven-transmembrane domain chemokine receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 modulates neutrophil responsiveness to the chemoattractant IL-8 and a number of closely related CXC chemokines. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which bacterial LPS induces the down-modulation of IL-8 responsiveness and CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression on human neutrophils. Treating neutrophils with LPS reduced IL-8R expression to 55 ± 5% of the control within 30 min and to 23 ± 2% within 1 h of stimulation. Furthermore, this down-modulation could not be attributed to increased concentrations of IL-8, TNF-α, or IL-1β, since ELISA studies indicated that LPS-stimulated neutrophils did not release detectable amounts of these proteins before 2 h poststimulation. The tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors genistein and herbimycin A attenuated the LPS-mediated down-modulation of CXCR1 and CXCR2, indicating that the activation of a TK is required for LPS to mediate its effect. The effect of LPS on receptor expression paralleled the hyperphosphorylation of the protein TK p72syk. Although IL-8 induced a comparable down-modulation of CXCR1 and CXCR2, TK inhibitors did not attenuate this effect. These studies provide the first evidence of an agonist-independent, TK-dependent pathway of chemokine receptor regulation by endotoxin.

Dual effect of the anti-allergic astemizole on Ca2+ fluxes in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells: release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and inhibition of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ influx

The antiallergic drugs astemizole and norastemizole inhibit exocytosis in mast cells, which might be relevant for their therapeutic action. From previous studies, it appeared that the drugs inhibited 45Ca2+ influx. Here, we present a more detailed study on the effects of astemizole and norastemizole on Ca2+ fluxes. Fura-2-loaded rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells were activated through the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI) with antigen or by the endoplasmatic reticulum ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, bypassing direct FcepsilonRI-related events. It appeared that astemizole (>15 microM), in contrast to norastemizole, showed a dual effect on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i): a rise in intracellular calcium concentration was induced, which originated in the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores, whereas Ca2+ influx via store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels was inhibited. Ca2+ influx was further characterized using Ba2+ influx, whereas processes in the absence of Ca2+ influx were studied using Ni2+ or EGTA. It was concluded that the drugs most likely affect the store-operated Ca2+ channels in RBL cells directly. The two effects of astemizole on Ca2+ fluxes had opposing influences on exocytosis, thereby accounting for the biphasic effect of increasing astemizole concentration on mediator release in RBL cells.

Protein tyrosine kinase Syk is involved in Thy-1 signaling in rat basophilic leukemia cells

Thy-1, a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored surface glycoprotein, has been shown to possess transmembrane signaling capacity. In rat mast cells and rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL) aggregation of surface Thy-1 with antibodies triggers a series of intracellular events, resembling those induced by aggregation of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilonRI), including tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins and release of secretory components. Unlike the Fc epsilonRI-mediated activation, where both the membrane-associated protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) Lyn and the cytoplasmic PTK Syk are responsible for initiating the signaling cascade, only Lyn has been implicated in Thy-1-mediated activation in RBL cells. Here we report that Syk is also rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated upon Thy-1 cross-linking. Increased Syk tyrosine phosphorylation is observed only in cells in which extensive aggregation of Thy-1 is induced by two layers of cross-linking reagents. RBL-derived mutant cells deficient in the expression of surface Thy-1 and transfectants re-expressing surface Thy-1 were used to exclude the possibility that Syk activation reflects an interaction of the cross-linking reagents with surface molecules other than Thy-1. As Fc epsilonRI gamma subunits are well known to promote activation of Syk and its recruitment to membrane complexes, we also investigated the role of these subunits in Thy-1-mediated Syk activation, using RBL-derived mutant cells deficient in the expression of Fc epsilonRI gamma subunits and their revertants. Consistent with the lack of Fc epsilonRI expression, no IgE-induced response could be elicited, while Thy-1-inducible Syk phosphorylation was preserved. Our results suggest that Syk might be one of the kinases responsible for signal propagation upon Thy-1 cross-linking in a Fc epsilonRI-independent pathway.

ER-27319, an acridone-related compound, inhibits release of antigen-induced allergic mediators from mast cells by selective inhibition of fcepsilon receptor I-mediated activation of Syk

Engagement of the mast cell high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE), FcepsilonRI, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, that has been demonstrated as critical for degranulation. Herein we describe a synthetic compound, ER-27319, as a potent and selective inhibitor of antigen or anti-IgE-mediated degranulation of rodent and human mast cells. ER-27319 affected neither Lyn kinase activity nor the antigen-induced phosphorylation of the FcepsilonRI but did effectively inhibit the tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and thus its activity. As a consequence, tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma1, generation of inositol phosphates, release of arachidonic acid, and secretion of histamine and tumor necrosis factor alpha were also inhibited. ER-27319 did not inhibit the anti-CD3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma1 in Jurkat T cells, demonstrating a specificity for Syk-induced signals. In contrast the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Syk, induced by in vitro incubation with the phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) of FcepsilonRI gamma subunit or by antigen activation of RBL-2H3 cells, was specifically inhibited by ER-27319. However, when ER-27319 was added to immunoprecipitated Syk, derived from activated cells, no effect was seen on Syk activity. ER-27319 did not inhibit the tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk induced by activation in the presence of Igbeta ITAM or the anti-IgM-induced phosphorylation of Syk in human peripheral B cells. Therefore, ER-27319 selectively interferes with the FcepsilonRI gamma phospho-ITAM activation of Syk in vitro and in intact cells. These results confirm the importance of Syk in FcepsilonRI-mediated responses in mast cells and demonstrate the mast cell selectivity and therapeutic potential of ER-27319 in the treatment of allergic disease.

Fc epsilon RI aggregation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of a novel 72 kDa protein downstream of Syk

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins is critical for the Fc epsilon RI-induced signal transduction that leads to the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells. Here we report the isolation of a monoclonal antibody, mAb BD2, to a 72 kDa protein that becomes rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated after Fc epsilon RI aggregation. By immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and/or protease digestion this 72 kDa protein was different from the previously identified 68-76 kDa tyrosine phosphorylated proteins Btk, paxillin, SLP-76 or Syk. The phosphorylation of this 72 kDa protein was detectable within 15 sec after receptor aggregation and was independent of Ca2+ influx or the activation of protein kinase C. By in vitro kinase reaction, the 72 kDa protein did not autophosphorylate, which suggests that it is not a kinase, but is associated with a 140 kDa protein that was strongly phosphorylated. Studies in Syk deficient and Syk transfected variants of the RBL-2H3 cells demonstrated that the tyrosine phosphorylation of this 72 kDa protein was downstream of Syk. These data indicate that the 72 kDa protein precipitated by mAb BD2 is a novel phosphoprotein involved in Fc epsilon RI signaling.

Src family-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PP1, inhibits both Fc epsilonRI- and Thy-1-mediated activation of rat basophilic leukemia cells

Cross-linking of the surface receptor with high affinity for IgE (Fc epsilonRI) by multivalent antigen/immunoglobulin E complexes, as well as aggregation of Thy-1 glycoprotein by monoclonal antibodies lead in rat basophilic leukemia cells, clone RBL-2H3, to tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins, followed by a release of secretory components. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of Fc epsilonRI- and Thy-1-mediated transmembrane signaling and to map a step at which they converge into a common secretory pathway, we used a novel Src family-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP1), and analyzed its inhibitory activity on cell activation. Here we show that in RBL-2H3 cells PP1 demonstrates substrate specificity for a Src family kinase Lyn. In immunocomplex kinase assays in vitro, PP1 inhibited the Lyn kinase activity at nanomolar levels without any effect on Syk kinase activity. However, in RBL cells activated via aggregation of Fc epsilonRI, phosphorylation of both Syk and Lyn kinases was inhibited. Fc epsilonRI- and Thy-1-mediated early (protein-tyrosine phosphorylation) and late (release of beta-hexosaminidase) activation events were similarly affected by PP1. The inhibition was specific for membrane receptor-mediated signaling and was not observed in cells activated by an exposure to pervanadate. The combined data suggest that activation of Lyn is the early activation step at which the Fc epsilonRI- and Thy-1-mediated activation pathways of mast cells and basophils may converge.

Aggregation of the high affinity IgE receptor results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of the surface adhesion protein PECAM-1 (CD31)

One of the earliest events after aggregation of the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI) on mast cells is the activation of protein tyrosine kinases resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous proteins. Using a monoclonal antibody raised against the rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells, we identified that platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1 or CD31) was tyrosine phosphorylated in these cells. Aggregation of PECAM-1 did not induce a detectable increase in its tyrosine phosphorylation, nor did it result in degranulation. However, the minimal tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 in nonstimulated cells was dramatically increased after FcepsilonRI aggregation. This receptor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 was an early event, independent of Ca2+ influx or of the activation of protein kinase C and of cell adhesion. PECAM-1 is an adhesion molecule that is required for the transmigration of leukocytes across the endothelium into sites of inflammation. Therefore tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 may modulate its interaction with other molecules, thereby regulating the migration of basophils into inflammatory sites.

Effects of the anti-allergics astemizole and norastemizole on Fc epsilon RI receptor-mediated signal transduction processes

The non-sedating anti-allergic drug astemizole, apart from its potential to antagonise H1 receptors, inhibits the release of inflammation mediators from mast cells. To study the mechanism of this inhibition, we investigated the effects of astemizole and one of its active metabolites, norastemizole, on different phases of Fc epsilon RI (the high affinity receptor for the immunoglobulin IgE) receptor-activated signal transduction in rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3), leading to exocytosis. Cells were stimulated either through antigen, or thapsigargin, or synergistic combinations of Fc epsilon RI receptor activation with either adenosine A3 receptors or integrins, activated by fibronectin adherence. The effects of the drugs on mediator release, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation, tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins and Ca2+ fluxes were investigated. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels are not affected. Astemizole increased tyrosine phosphorylation in resting cells, especially a 96-kDa protein band. Particularly tyrosine phosphorylation related to post Ca2+ processes is changed after cell triggering in the presence of astemizole. Both drugs inhibit the influx of 45Ca2+, with similar dose response curves as for the inhibition of exocytosis. Astemizole but not norastemizole, when used in resting cells, released Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Astemizole (> 15 microM) also induced exocytosis in resting cells. It did not induce additional changes in its inhibiting effect when cells were triggered with synergistic combinations of Fc epsilon RI receptor activation with either adenosine A3 receptors or integrins. Effects on haemolysis of erythrocytes and differential scanning calorimetry in liposomes showed clear differences in membrane perturbation between astemizole and norastemizole. The observed differences, and the role of membrane perturbation in the action on Ca2+ fluxes, are discussed.

Compartmentalized activation of the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor within membrane domains

The earliest known step in the activation of the high affinity IgE receptor, FcepsilonRI, is the tyrosine phosphorylation of its beta and gamma subunits by the Src family tyrosine kinase, Lyn. We report here that aggregation-dependent association of FcepsilonRI with specialized regions of the plasma membrane precedes its tyrosine phosphorylation and appears necessary for this event. Tyrosine phosphorylation of beta and gamma occurs in intact cells only for FcepsilonRI that associate with these detergent-resistant membrane domains, which are enriched in active Lyn. Furthermore, efficient in vitro tyrosine phosphorylation of FcepsilonRI subunits occurs only for those associated with isolated domains. This association and in vitro phosphorylation are highly sensitive to low concentrations of detergent, suggesting that lipid-mediated interactions with Lyn are important in FcepsilonRI activation. Participation of membrane domains accounts for previously unexplained aspects of FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling and may be relevant to signaling by other multichain immune receptors.

Differential Activation of the Tyrosine Kinases ZAP-70 and Syk After FcγRI Stimulation

Engagement of the high-affinity IgG Fc receptor (FcγRI) activates a signal transduction pathway involving tyrosine phosphorylation of associated kinases. We compared the activation of the related protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), Syk and ZAP-70, in FcγRI-mediated signaling. Cross-linking of the FcγRI multimeric receptor in monocytic cells results in tyrosine phosphorylation of the FcεRIγ subunit and association of Syk with this complex. We stably introduced ZAP-70 via a retroviral vector into two monocytic cell lines, U937 and THP-1, which normally do not express ZAP-70. Neither Syk nor MAP kinase activation was affected by the presence of ZAP-70. Although transduced ZAP-70 had in vitro kinase activity and associated with FcεRIγ after receptor aggregation, it was not tyrosine phosphorylated. In contrast, both ZAP-70 and Syk were phosphorylated in a T-cell line in which their respective levels of expression were similar to those detected in U937/ZAP-70 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that requirements for Syk and ZAP-70 phosphorylation are distinct in a monocytic cell context.

SLP-76 is a substrate of the high affinity IgE receptor-stimulated protein tyrosine kinases in rat basophilic leukemia cells

Stimulation of the IgE high affinity receptor on rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells results in activation of protein tyrosine kinases and rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of several substrates, many of which remain unidentified. In this report, we demonstrate that the Grb2 adapter protein, when expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein, associates with four tyrosine-phosphorylated molecules (116, 76, 36, and 31 kDa) from lysates of stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. We show further that the 76-kDa protein is SLP-76, a hematopoietic cell-specific protein first identified as a Grb2-binding protein in T cells. Upon stimulation of the high affinity receptor for IgE, SLP-76 undergoes rapid tyrosine phosphorylation and associates with two additional tyrosine phosphoproteins of 62 and 130 kDa via the SH2 domain of SLP-76. Additional studies demonstrate that the SLP-76 SH2 domain also binds a protein kinase from stimulated RBL-2H3 cell lysates. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of SLP-76 requires Syk activity but is not dependent on Ca+2 mobilization. These data, together with our previous work documenting its role in T-cell activation, suggest that SLP-76 and the proteins with which it associates may play a fundamental role in coupling signaling events in multiple cell types in the immune system.

Direct interaction of Syk and Lyn protein tyrosine kinases in rat basophilic leukemia cells activated via type I Fc epsilon receptors

Activation of rat mast cells through the receptor with high affinity for IgE (Fc epsilonRI) requires a complex set of interactions involving transmembrane subunits of the Fc epsilonRI and two classes of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). the Src family PTK p53/p56(lyn) (Lyn) and the Syk/ZAP-family PTK p72(syk) (Syk). Early activation events involve increased activity of Lyn and Syk kinases and their translocation into membrane domains containing aggregated Fc epsilonRI, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for these changes have remained largely unclear. To determine the role of Fc epsilonRI subunits in this process, we have analyzed Syk- and Lyn-associated proteins in activated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells and their variants deficient in the expression of Fc epsilonRI beta or gamma subunits. Sepharose 4B gel chromatography of postnuclear supernatants from Nonidet-P40-solubilized antigen (Ag)- or pervanadate-activated RBL cells revealed extensive changes in the size of complexes formed by Lyn and Syk kinases and other cellular components. A fusion protein containing Src homology 2 (SH2) and SH3 domains of Lyn bound Syk from lysates of nonactivated RBL cells; an increased binding was observed when lysates from Ag- or pervanadate-activated cells were used. A similar amount of Syk was bound when lysates from pervanadate-activated variant cells deficient in the expression of Fc epsilonRI beta or gamma subunits were used, suggesting that Fc epsilonRI does not function as the only intermediate in the formation of the Syk-Lyn complexes. Further experiments have indicated that Syk-Lyn interactions occur in Ag-activated RBL cells under in vivo conditions and that these interactions could involve direct binding of the Lyn SH2 domain with phosphorylated tyrosine of Syk. The physical association of Lyn and Syk during mast-like cell activation supports the recently proposed functional cooperation of these two tyrosine kinases in Fc epsilonRI signaling.

Leukocyte protein tyrosine kinases: potential targets for drug discovery

Intracellular signal transduction following the extracellular ligation of a wide variety of different types of surface molecules on leukocytes involves the activation of protein tyrosine kinases. The dependence of successful intracellular signaling on the functions of the nontransmembrane class of protein tyrosine kinases coupled with the cell type-specific expression patterns for several of these enzymes makes them appealing targets for therapeutic intervention. Development of drugs that can interfere with the catalytic functions of the nontransmembrane protein tyrosine kinases or that can disrupt critical interactions with regulatory molecules and/or substrates should find clinical applications in the treatment of allergic diseases, autoimmunity, transplantation rejection, and cancer.

Tec family protein-tyrosine kinases and pleckstrin homology domains in mast cells

Tec family protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) have been recognized as a distinct subfamily for only a few years. Two of them, Btk and Emt, are tyrosine-phosphorylated and enzymatically activated upon cross-linking of the high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilonRI), suggesting their involvement in mast cell activation. Since Lyn and other Src family PTKs phosphorylate Btk at Tyr-551 and activate the latter kinase, the receptor-associated Lyn seems to activate Btk in mast cells. The Btk kinase activity, on the other hand, is regulated negatively by phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC) that is associated with Btk via Btk's pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. PH domains also bind to phospholipids and the beta subunit of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that PH domains play roles in membrane localization.

Relation between effects of a set of anti-allergic drugs on calcium pathways and membrane structure in Fc epsilon RI activated signal transduction

The antigen induced stimulation of mast cells by aggregation of Fc epsilon RI receptors activates a signal transduction cascade leading to release of mediators of inflammation like histamine, arachidonic acid metabolites and cytokines. In this study we investigated a series of structurally related anti-allergic drugs, containing a common lipophilic diphenylmethyl piperazinyl tail and head groups that differ in lipophilicity. Effects of these drugs on various steps of the signal transduction cascade was investigated to gain insight into the mechanism of action of these drugs. It appeared that addition of the drugs to resting cells induced changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. The most active anti-allergics in inhibiting exocytosis, AL3264 and oxatomide, also induced the largest changes in phosphorylation. The effects of the drugs on tyrosine phosphorylation after cell activation was complex. Additionally, Ca2+ fluxes were investigated. Ca2+ efflux from the cells was negligibly influenced by the active drugs. However, the drugs inhibited influx from extracellular Ca2+, which was correlated with the effects of the drugs on inhibition of exocytosis and on membrane stabilization induced by the drugs, measured as haemolysis of erythrocytes. It is concluded that inhibition of Ca2+ influx is the major mechanism with which these drugs inhibit exocytosis and that for this effect drug-membrane interactions, possibly affecting the function of membrane embedded proteins, are of importance. Possible mechanisms including drug-membrane interactions, phosphorylation and inhibition of Ca2+ influx are discussed.

Downstream signaling molecules bind to different phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) peptides of the high affinity IgE receptor

The cytoplasmic tails of both the beta and gamma subunits of the high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) contain a consensus sequence termed the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). This motif plays a critical role in receptor-mediated signal transduction. Synthetic peptides based on the ITAM sequences of the beta and gamma subunits of FcepsilonRI were used to investigate which proteins associate with these motifs. Tyrosine-phosphorylated beta and gamma ITAM peptides immobilized on beads precipitated Syk, Lyn, Shc, Grb2, and phospholipase C-gamma1 from lysates of rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. Syk was precipitated predominantly by the tyrosine-diphosphorylated gamma ITAM peptide, but much less by the diphosphorylated beta ITAM peptide or by the monophosphorylated peptides. Phospholipase C-gamma1, Shc, and Grb2 were precipitated only by the diphosphorylated beta ITAM peptide. Non-phosphorylated ITAM peptides did not precipitate these proteins. In membrane binding assays, fusion proteins containing the Src homology 2 domains of phospholipase C-gamma1, Shc, Syk, and Lyn directly bound the tyrosine-phosphorylated ITAM peptides. Although the ITAM sequences of the beta and gamma subunits of FcepsilonRI are similar, once they are tyrosine-phosphorylated they preferentially bind different downstream signaling molecules. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the ITAM of the gamma subunit recruits and activates Syk, whereas the beta subunit may be important for the Ras signaling pathway.

Influence of the anti-allergic drug oxatomide on the signal transduction mechanism in a mast cell model

In a mast cell model, oxatomide displays inhibition of mediator release which is not related to its histamine H1 receptor antagonistic activity. From a previous study it appeared that especially early steps in the signal transduction leading to exocytosis were influenced by oxatomide. We now studied effects of oxatomide on those early steps in more detail. The antigen- and thapsigargin-mediated exocytosis in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells were both inhibited by oxatomide. After aggregation of high affinity receptors for immunoglobulin E (Fc epsilon RI), protein tyrosine phosphorylation is induced. Oxatomide caused remarkable changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation pattern in resting cells. Also after antigen and thapsigargin activation, changes in the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins are observed. In addition, Ca2+ fluxes were studied by means of the net influx of 45Ca2+ and by measuring intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]) with the fluorescent probe fura-2. Oxatomide inhibited the 45Ca2+ influx and the increase in [Ca2+]i upon antigen and thapsigargin activation of the cells. Neither the release of Ca2+ from internal stores nor the efflux of Ca2+ over the plasma membrane seems to be affected. The effect of oxatomide on Ca2+ influx was further characterized by studying Ba2+ influx in the absence of extracellular free Ca2+. We conclude that inhibition of mediator release is mainly caused by inhibition of influx of extracellular Ca2+, via plasma membrane Ca2+ channels that are activated by depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. The molecular mechanism with which oxatomide might interfere with these channels is discussed.

Syk-dependent phosphorylation of Shc. A potential link between FcepsilonRI and the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway through SOS and Grb2

Antigen receptors on T- and B-cells activate Ras through a signaling pathway that results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and the formation of a complex of Shc with the Grb2 adaptor protein. The high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (FcepsilonRI) in cultured mast (RBL-2H3) cells has been reported to function differently. Here we show to the contrary that engagement of FcepsilonRI with antigen leads to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and the association of Shc with Grb2 and other proteins (p120 and p140). Like the FcepsilonRI-mediated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, these responses are dependent on the tyrosine kinase Syk; they are enhanced by overexpression of Syk and are blocked by expression of dominant-negative Syk. Sos is constitutively associated with Grb2 in these cells but dissociates from Shc on stimulation with antigen. These reactions are rapid, reversible, and associated with the activation of Ras. Therefore, the Syk-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and its association with Grb2 may provide a pathway through Sos for activation of Ras by FcepsilonRI.

Inhibition of Fc epsilon-RI-mediated activation of rat basophilic leukemia cells by Clostridium difficile toxin B (monoglucosyltransferase)

Treatment of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) 2H3-hm1 cells with Clostridium difficile toxin B (2 ng/ml), which reportedly depolymerizes the actin cytoskeleton, blocked [3H]serotonin release induced by 2,4-dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin, carbachol, mastoparan, and reduced ionophore A23187-stimulated degranulation by about 55-60%. In lysates of RBL cells, toxin B 14C-glucosylated two major and one minor protein. By using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, RhoA and Cdc42 were identified as protein substrates of toxin B. In contrast to toxin B, Clostridium botulinum transferase C3 that selectively inactivates RhoA by ADP-ribosylation did not inhibit degranulation up to a concentration of 150 microg/ml. Antigen-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of a 110-kDa protein was inhibited by toxin B as well as by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Depolymerization of the microfilament cytoskeleton of RBL cells by C. botulinum C2 toxin or cytochalasin D resulted in an increased [3H]serotonin release induced by antigen, carbachol, mastoparan, or by calcium ionophore A23187, but without affecting toxin B-induced inhibition of degranulation. The data indicate that toxin B inhibits activation of RBL cells by glucosylation of low molecular mass GTP-binding proteins of the Rho subfamily (most likely Cdc42) by a mechanism not involving the actin cytoskeleton.

Solution structure of the C-terminal SH2 domain of the human tyrosine kinase Syk complexed with a phosphotyrosine pentapeptide

BACKGROUND

Recruitment of the intracellular tyrosine kinase Syk to activated immune-response receptors is a critical early step in intracellular signaling. In mast cells, Syk specifically associates with doubly phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) that are found within the IgE receptor. The mechanism by which Syk recognizes these motifs is not fully understood. Both Syk SH2 (Src homology 2) domains are required for high-affinity binding to these motifs, but the C-terminal SH2 domain (Syk-C) can function independently and can bind, in isolation, to the tyrosine-phosphorylated IgE receptor in vitro. In order to improve understanding of the cellular function of Syk, we have determined the solution structure of Syk-C complexed with a phosphotyrosine peptide derived from the gamma subunit of the IgE receptor.

RESULTS

The Syk-C:peptide structure is compared with liganded structures of both the SH2 domain of Src and the C-terminal SH2 domain of ZAP-70 (the 70 kDa zeta-associated protein). The topologies of these domains are similar, although significant differences occur in the loop regions. In the Syk-C structure, the phosphotyrosine and leucine residues of the peptide ligand interact with pockets on the protein, and the intervening residues are extended.

CONCLUSIONS

Syk-C resembles other SH2 domains in its peptide-binding interactions and overall topology, a result that is consistent with its ability to function as an independent SH2 domain in vitro. This result suggests that Syk-C plays a unique role in the intact Syk protein. The determinants of the binding affinity and selectivity of Syk-C may reside in the least-conserved structural elements that comprise the phosphotyrosine- and leucine-binding sites. These structural features can be exploited for the design of Syk-selective SH2 antagonists for the treatment of allergic disorders and asthma.

Temporal activation of nontransmembrane protein-tyrosine kinases following mast cell Fc epsilon RI engagement

One of the primary responses observed following antigen-induced cross-linking in mast cells is an increase in the phosphorylation of certain cellular proteins on tyrosine residues. Stimulation of protein-tyrosine kinase activity appears to be necessary for induction of downstream responses such as degranulation. The role of nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases in the signal transduction pathway initiated by Fc epsilon RI engagement in an interleukin-3-dependent mast cell line has been examined. The results presented here show that the enzymatic activity of Lyn is increased within seconds of receptor engagement. Syk activity also undergoes a rapid and transient increase, reaching a peak at approximately 30 s. Similarly, the activity of Fer, representing a third class of nontransmembrane protein-tyrosine kinase increases as well, with its activity peak reached at 1 min poststimulation. The enzymatic activities of Syk and Fer were found to correspond to anti-phosphotyrosine antibody reactivity. Phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of the beta and gamma chains of Fc epsilon RI increased concomitant with increased protein-tyrosine kinase activity. These results indicate that at least three classes of nontransmembrane protein-tyrosine kinases are involved in mast cell FceRI signaling and that the activation of these classes of enzymes is temporally regulated.

Aggregation of IgE receptors in rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic protein-tyrosine phosphatase HePTP

The cDNA encoding the rat equivalent of the human hematopoietic tyrosine phosphatase, also known as leukocyte phosphatase, was isolated from a rat basophilic leukemia mast cell cDNA library. By two-dimensional electrophoresis, the protein expressed in the mast cells was of a size (40 kDa) and pI (6.9) predicted from the deduced amino acid sequence. Thus, although previously shown to be preferentially expressed in T cells and B cells, the phosphatase is also found in mast cells. By immunofluorescence microscopy, rat hematopoietic tyrosine phosphatase localized to discrete, globular compartments within the cytoplasm and was not found either in the nucleus or associated with the cell surface membrane. Aggregation of high affinity IgE receptors in the mast cells induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the phosphatase. The tyrosine phosphorylation was mimicked by stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187 but not by direct activation of protein kinase C. Since phosphorylation of the phosphatase was dramatically reduced when the cells were activated in Ca(2+)-free media, it is dependent on a rise in intracellular Ca2+. These data strongly suggest that hematopoietic tyrosine phosphatase may be involved in the IgE receptor-mediated signaling cascade.

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation as a mechanism of signalling in mast cells and basophils

Tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins is a mechanism of signalling for different receptors and is important for cell growth and differentiation. Mast cells and basophils are secretory cells that play a role in inflammatory and immediate allergic reactions. The activation/aggregation of different surface receptors on these cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins. Because these signals are essential for the function of basophils and mast cells, characterizing these pathways could provide methods to specifically regulate the function of these cells. Here we discuss the signals generated by three receptors: the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI) the growth factor receptor, Kit, and integrins.

Syk is activated by phosphotyrosine-containing peptides representing the tyrosine-based activation motifs of the high affinity receptor for IgE

Engagement of the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (Fc epsilon RI) on the surface of mast cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous cellular proteins. Syk, one of several non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases implicated in Fc epsilon RI signaling, is activated following receptor cross-linking and associates with phosphorylated gamma subunits of Fc epsilon RI. We previously showed that the Src homology 2 (SH2) domains of Syk bind with high affinity to the conserved tyrosine-based activation motif (TAM) of the gamma subunit in vitro. In this report, we show that a tyrosine-phosphorylated gamma TAM peptide induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk in RBL-2H3 cell lysates and stimulated Syk kinase activity 10-fold in vitro, with half-maximal activation at 1-2 microM. A similar beta subunit TAM peptide showed much lower stimulation of Syk tyrosine phosphorylation and kinase activity. Phosphopeptide-induced activation was inhibited by an antiserum to the carboxyl-terminal tail of Syk, suggesting that those amino acids are also involved in Syk activation. These results indicate that the catalytic domain of Syk may be regulated by intramolecular interactions with adjacent domains and suggest that Syk binding to phosphorylated gamma subunits following Fc epsilon RI engagement in vivo stimulates Syk kinase activity.

A requirement for Syk in the activation of the microtubule-associated protein kinase/phospholipase A2 pathway by Fc epsilon R1 is not shared by a G protein-coupled receptor

Stimulation of the mast cell line, RBL-2H3, with antigen via the tetrameric (alpha beta gamma 2) immunoglobulin E receptor (Fc epsilon R1) leads to the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and the release of arachidonic acid. This pathway is dependent on the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. In this paper, we show that the MAP kinase/cytosolic phospholipase A2 pathway is linked to Fc epsilon R1 via the cytosolic tyrosine kinase, Syk, and that the GDP/GTP exchange factor, Vav, might be one candidate for accomplishing this link. Cross-linking of transmembrane chimeras containing the Fc epsilon R1 gamma motif, which is known to activate Syk, results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav, activation of MAP kinase, and release of arachidonic acid. Cross-linking of chimeras containing the Fc epsilon R1 beta motif does not cause these events. Furthermore, stimulation of these events by antigen is enhanced by transient overexpression of a wild-type form of Syk and blocked by overexpression of a dominant negative form of Syk. By contrast, stimulation via the transfected, G protein-coupled, muscarinic m1 receptor is not influenced by either form of Syk and does not result in tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav. These data establish unequivocally that the two types of receptor are independently linked to the two types of receptor are independently linked to the MAP kinase/cytosolic phospholipase A2 pathway and demonstrate the existence of the Fc epsilon R1-Syk-MAP kinase pathway.

Reconstitution of Syk function by the ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase

ZAP-70 and Syk are PTKs required for TCR and BCR function, respectively. Loss of the Syk PTK results in a nonfunctional BCR. We provide evidence here that ZAP-70 and Syk are functionally homologous in antigen receptor signaling by demonstrating that expression of ZAP-70 in Syk- B cells reconstitutes BCR function. Reconstitution required the presence of functional Src homology 2 (SH2) and catalytic domains of ZAP-70. Thus, drug targeting of a single SH2 domain within ZAP-70 should be sufficient to inhibit hematopoietic antigen receptor function. In addition, we demonstrate that both ZAP-70 and Syk can bind directly to the phosphorylated Ig alpha and Ig beta subunits with affinities comparable to their binding to the TCR CD3 epsilon subunit. These data suggest that ZAP-70 and Syk are comparable in their abilities to mediate hematopoietic antigen receptor signaling.