The zeta chain is associated with a tyrosine kinase and upon T-cell antigen receptor stimulation associates with ZAP-70, a 70-kDa tyrosine phosphoprotein

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.

Mechanism of activation for Zap-70 catalytic activity

There is a growing body of evidence, including data from human genetic and T-cell receptor function studies, which implicate a zeta-associated protein of M(r) 70,000 (Zap-70) as a critical protein tyrosine kinase in T-cell activation and development. During T-cell activation, Zap-70 becomes associated via its src homology type 2 (SH2) domains with tyrosine-phosphorylated immune-receptor tyrosine activating motif (ITAM) sequences in the cytoplasmic zeta chain of the T-cell receptor. An intriguing conundrum is how Zap-70 is catalytically activated for downstream phosphorylation events. To address this question, we have used purified Zap-70, tyrosine phosphorylated glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Zeta, and GST-Zeta-1 cytoplasmic domains, and various forms of ITAM-containing peptides to see what effect binding of zeta had upon Zap-70 tyrosine kinase activity. The catalytic activity of Zap-70 with respect to autophosphorylation increased approximately 5-fold in the presence of 125 nM phosphorylated GST-Zeta or GST-Zeta-1 cytoplasmic domain. A 20-fold activity increase was observed for phosphorylation of an exogenous substrate. Both activity increases showed a GST-Zeta concentration dependence. The increase in activity was not produced with nonphosphorylated GST-Zeta, phosphorylated zeta, or phosphorylated ITAM-containing peptides. The increase in Zap-70 activity was SH2 mediated and was inhibited by phenylphosphate, Zap-70 SH2, and an antibody specific for Zap-70 SH2 domains. Since GST-Zeta and GST-Zeta-1 exist as dimers, the data suggest Zap-70 is activated upon binding a dimeric form of phosphorylated zeta and not by peptide fragments containing a single phosphorylated ITAM. Taken together, these data indicate that the catalytic activity of Zap-70 is most likely activated by a trans-phosphorylation mechanism.

Regulation of the association of p120cbl with Grb2 in Jurkat T cells

The c-cbl protooncogene product (p120(cbl)) is a known substrate of multiple tyrosine kinases. It is found in complexes with critical signal transduction molecules, including the linker protein Grb2. Here, we demonstrate using an immobilized Grb2-binding peptide that the Grb2-p120(cbl) complex dissociates in vivo following engagement of the T-cell antigen receptor in Jurkat T-cells. The early kinetics of this dissociation correlate with the known time course of tyrosine phosphorylation of p120(cbl) and other substrates. This dissociation persists in vivo even when p120(cbl) becomes dephosphorylated to basal levels. However, this decreased association is not observed in protein overlay assays on nitrocellulose membranes in which a Grb2 fusion protein is used to detect p120(cbl) from stimulated or unstimulated cells. These data suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation of p120(cbl) does not completely account for the regulation of its association with Grb2. Additionally, we used truncation mutations of p120(cbl) to map the p120(cbl)-Grb2 interaction to amino acids 481-528 of p120(cbl); this interaction is stronger in longer constructs that include additional proline-rich motifs. The in vivo regulation of the Grb2-p120(cbl) complex further supports the idea of a significant role for p120(cbl) in receptor-mediated signaling pathways.

Identification of the site in the Syk protein tyrosine kinase that binds the SH2 domain of Lck

The Syk protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) is expressed in many hematopoietic cells and is involved in signaling from various receptors for antigen and Fc portions of IgG and IgE. Upon cross-linking of these receptors, Syk is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and enzymatically activated. We and others have found that the Lck kinase, a member of the Src family of PTKs, binds through its Src homology (SH) 2 domain to tyrosine phosphorylated Syk and to the related Zap kinase. Here we report that this interaction is direct and identify the two tandem tyrosines at the autophosphorylation site of Syk, Tyr518, and Tyr519, as the binding site for the SH2 domain of Lck. Mutation of either or both tyrosines to phenylalanines abrogated binding, while mutation of a second repetition of the motif at Tyr539 and Tyr540, or of the three tyrosines in the C terminus of Syk, did not. The SH2 domain of Lck bound the autophosphorylation site only when both Tyr518 and Tyr519 were phosphorylated. In intact cells the binding of the SH2 domain of Lck correlated with the ability of Syk to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins.

RANTES induces tyrosine kinase activity of stably complexed p125FAK and ZAP-70 in human T cells

The chemokine RANTES is a chemoattractant and activating factor for T lymphocytes. Investigation of the signal transduction mechanisms induced by RANTES in T cells revealed tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple protein species with prominent bands at 70-85 and 120-130 kD. Immunoprecipitation and Western analyses revealed that a protein of 125 kD was identical to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pp125FAK. RANTES stimulated phosphorylation of FAK as early as 30 seconds and immunoblots using antiphosphotyrosine monoclonal antibodies revealed that there was consistent phosphorylation of a 68-70 kD species in the pp125FAK immunoprecipitates. Immunoblotting and kinase assays showed this to be two separate proteins, the tyrosine kinase zeta-associated protein (ZAP) 70, and the focal adhesion protein paxillin. These results indicate a potentially important role for RANTES in the generation of T cell focal adhesions and subsequent cell activation via a molecular complex containing FAK, ZAP-70, and paxillin.

The p56lck SH2 domain mediates recruitment of CD8/p56lck to the activated T cell receptor/CD3/zeta complex

The CD4 or CD8 co-receptors and the T cell receptor (TCR) are though to interact with the same antigen-presenting major histocompatibility complex molecule in a stable ternary complex. Therefore, the TCR and its co-receptor need to come into close proximity on the surface of the T cell. We have previously shown that the interaction of the p56lck SH2 domain with zeta-associated, tyrosine phosphorylated ZAP-70 and Syk kinases leads to an enhanced association of CD4 with TCR/CD3/zeta complex after CD3 stimulation of Jurkat cells. In this report, we analyzed whether a similar mechanism can mediate recruitment of the CD8 alpha alpha and CD8 alpha beta isoforms to the TCR. We demonstrate in vivo in association of CD8 alpha alpha/p56lck with the tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 after CD3 stimulation of Jurkat cells. A phosphopeptide competing in vitro for the binding of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins to the SH2 domain of p56lck specifically impedes the association of ZAP-70 with CD8 alpha alpha/p56lck without affecting the zeta/ZAP-70 interaction. The same peptide is able to compete for the activation-dependent association of the CD8 alpha alpha or CD8 alpha beta isoform with the TCR/CD3/zeta complex. Moreover, co-precipitation of the TCR with both CD8 isoforms was observed after CD3 stimulation. These findings strongly suggest that the p56lck SH2 domain mediates recruitment of CD8/p56lck to the activated TCR/CD3/zeta complex.

Phosphorylation of SLP-76 by the ZAP-70 protein-tyrosine kinase is required for T-cell receptor function

Two families of tyrosine kinases, the Src and Syk families, are required for T-cell receptor activation. While the Src kinases are responsible for phosphorylation of receptor-encoded signaling motifs and for up-regulation of ZAP-70 activity, the downstream substrates of ZAP-70 are unknown. Evidence is presented herein that the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) is a substrate of ZAP-70. Phosphorylation of SLP-76 is diminished in T cells that express a catalytically inactive ZAP-70. Moreover, SLP-76 is preferentially phosphorylated by ZAP-70 in vitro and in heterologous cellular systems. In T cells, overexpression of wild-type SLP-76 results in a hyperactive receptor, while expression of a SLP-76 molecule that is unable to be tyrosine-phosphorylated attenuates receptor function. In addition, the SH2 domain of SLP-76 is required for T-cell receptor function, although its role is independent of the ability of SLP-76 to undergo tyrosine phosphorylation. As SLP-76 interacts with both Grb2 and phospholipase C-gamma1, these data indicate that phosphorylation of SLP-76 by ZAP-70 provides an important functional link between the T-cell receptor and activation of ras and calcium pathways.

Differential association of protein tyrosine kinases with the T cell receptor is linked to the induction of anergy and its prevention by B7 family-mediated costimulation

When stimulated through their antigen receptor, without costimulation, T cells enter a state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness, termed anergy. B7-mediated costimulation, signaling via CD28, is sufficient to prevent the induction of anergy. Here we show that ligation of T cell receptor (TCR) by alloantigen alone, which results in anergy, activates tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR zeta and its association with fyn. In contrast, TCR ligation in the presence of B7 costimulation, which results in productive immunity, activates tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR zeta and CD3 chains, which associate with activated lck and zeta-associated protein (ZAP) 70. Under these conditions, CD28 associates with activated lck and TCR zeta. These data suggest that the induction of anergy is an active signaling process characterized by the association of TCR zeta and fyn. In addition, CD28-mediated costimulation may prevent the induction of anergy by facilitating the effective association of TCR zeta and CD3 epsilon with the critical protein tyrosine kinase lck, and the subsequent recruitment of ZAP-70. Strategies to inhibit or activate TCR-associated, specific protein tyrosine kinase-mediated pathways may provide a basis for drug development with potential applications in the fields of transplantation, autoimmunity, and tumor immunity.

An activated epidermal growth factor receptor/Lck chimera restores early T cell receptor-mediated calcium response in a CD45-deficient T cell line

In T cells, cell surface expression of CD45, a transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase, is required for T cell receptor (TCR) signal transduction. Indirect evidence suggests that CD45 function in TCR signaling involves the dephosphorylation of the C-terminal negative regulatory site of p56(lck), Tyr-505. To evaluate the importance of CD45-mediated dephosphorylation of p56(lck) Tyr-505 in TCR signaling, we established CD45(-) Jurkat cell lines expressing various forms of a chimera containing the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) fused to p56(lck). We report that an activated EGFR/Lck chimera is able to reconstitute a Ca2+ response after CD3 stimulation in the absence of CD45 expression. In addition, the wild-type and kinase inactive versions of the EGFR/Lck chimera fail to restore early signaling. Restoration of the response by EGFR/LckF505 required EGF binding to the chimeric kinase. Altogether, these results provide the first direct evidence that the lack of efficient dephosphorylation of p56(lck) Tyr-505 is, in part, responsible for the unresponsiveness of CD45(-) cells. They also indicate that a second event is required for p56(lck) function in TCR signaling in addition to its dephosphorylation at Tyr-505.

A tyrosine-phosphorylated 110-120-kDa protein associates with the C-terminal SH2 domain of phosphotyrosine phosphatase-1D in T cell receptor-stimulated T cells

The role of cytosolic phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPase) in T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling was investigated. PTPase activity was detected in a purified immunocomplex comprising aggregated TCR from the cell surface of Jurkat T cells. Since TCR aggregation results in phosphorylation of critical immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM) in the TCR zeta chain, a doubly tyrosine-phosphorylated synthetic peptide containing the membrane-proximal zeta chain ITAM (zeta p ITAM) was used to characterize TCR zeta-associated PTPases. PTPase activity was detected in stable association with zeta p ITAM and the SH2 domain-containing PTPase PTP-1D (Syp, SH-PTP2) was identified in this complex. TCR stimulation resulted in increased total PTPase activity and PTP-1D protein in zeta p ITAM precipitates. TCR stimulation did not result in the tyrosine phosphorylation of PTP-1D but caused the rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of a 110-120-kDa protein which associated selectively with the C-terminal SH2 domain of PTP-1D. This currently unidentified phosphotyrosine protein may be involved in localizing PTP-1D to the TCR following receptor stimulation.

Phosphotyrosines in the killer cell inhibitory receptor motif of NKB1 are required for negative signaling and for association with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1C

NKB1 is one member of a growing family of killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR). It is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, and has been shown to inhibit cytolytic functions of these cells upon interacting with its ligand, HLA-B (Bw4). We demonstrate here that the cytoplasmic region of NKB1 is capable of inhibiting T cell activation in Jurkat cells. The tyrosine phosphorylation of the NKB1 KIR consensus motif, YxxL(x)26 YxxL, induces an association with the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1C (PTP1C). Importantly, mutation of both tyrosines in the motif abolished the inhibitory functions of NKB1 and abrogated PTP1C association. Mutational analysis of the individual tyrosines suggest that the membrane proximal tyrosine may play a crucial role in mediating the inhibitory signal. These results demonstrate that KIR can not only inhibit cytolytic activity, but can also negatively regulate T cell receptor activation events that lead to downstream gene activation, and further supports a model that implicates PTP1C as a mediator in the KIR inhibitory signal.

Purification and characterization of human ZAP-70 protein-tyrosine kinase from a baculovirus expression system

The ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase is essential for T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling. The absence of ZAP-70 results in impaired differentiation of T cells and a lack of responsiveness to antigenic stimulation. In order to study the characteristics of ZAP-70 in vitro, we overexpressed an epitopically tagged human ZAP-70 in a recombinant baculovirus expression system and purified it by column chromatography. The kinase activity of purified, recombinant ZAP-70 required cation and exhibited a strong preference for Mn2+ over Mg2+. The apparent Km of ZAP-70 for ATP was approximately 3.0 microM. The activity of the recombinant ZAP-70, unlike that of the homologous protein tyrosine kinase, Syk, was not affected by binding of TCR-derived tyrosine phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif peptides. Several proteins were tested as potential in vitro substrates of ZAP-70. Only alpha-tubulin and the cytoplasmic fragment of human erythrocyte band 3 (cfb3), which have a region of sequence identity at the phosphorylation site, proved to be good substrates, exhibiting Kmvalues of approximately 3.3 and approximately 2.5 microM, respectively ([ATP] = 50 microM). alpha- and beta-Casein were poor substrates for ZAP-70, and no activity toward enolase, myelin basic protein, calmodulin, histone proteins, or angiotensin could be detected. In contrast to the T cell protein tyrosine kinase, Lck, ZAP-70 did not phosphorylate the cytoplasmic portion of the TCRzeta chain or short peptides corresponding to the CD3epsilon or the TCRzeta immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs. Our studies suggest that ZAP-70 exhibits a high degree of substrate specificity.

Phosphorylated T cell receptor zeta-chain and ZAP70 tandem SH2 domains form a 1:3 complex in vitro

The zeta polypeptide is part of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). The zeta-chain contributes to efficient cell-surface expression of the TCR and accounts for part of its signal transduction capability. TCR recognition triggers a complex set of events that result in cellular activation. The protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) Lck phosphorylates the zeta-chain, which in turn associates with another PTK, ZAP70, and stimulates its phosphorylation activity. Here we report the expression of the intracellular part of the zeta-chain and its biochemical characterization. The recombinant protein does not dimerize by itself in solution. Circular-dichroic analysis reveals a random coil conformation. zeta, phosphorylated using recombinant Lck, associates with recombinant ZAP70 tandem-SH2 domains. All three T cell activation motifs in zeta bind ZAP70 tandem-SH2 domains in vitro, forming a 1:3 complex. This result extends the picture, derived from earlier studies, of a mechanism for signal amplification.

CD4-dependent and -independent association of protein tyrosine kinases to the T cell receptor/CD3 complex of CD4+ mouse T lymphocytes

Tyrosine phosphorylation of different substrates is the earliest intracellular signal detected after T cell receptor (TcR) ligation. Several tyrosine kinases have been detected associated to the CD3-TcR complex in stimulated or unstimulated cells, including p56lck, p59fyn and ZAP-70. We have observed, in one mouse T helper CD4 T cell line, that most TcR- or CD3-associated tyrosine kinase activity comes from CD4:p56lck (Diez-Orejas, R., Ballester, S., Feito, M. J., Ronda, M., Ojeda, G., Criado, G., Portolés, P. and Rojo, J. M., EMBO J. 1994. 13: 90). To analyze whether this is a major way of tyrosine kinase association to the TcR in normal CD4+ T cells, we examined the nature and mode of association of tyrosine kinases to the TcR complex in normal spleen CD4+ T lymphocytes. Our results show that, in normal CD4+ T lymphocytes, as in CD4+ T cell lines, there is a stable and readily detectable association between CD4:p56lck and the TcR/CD3 complex, as determined by in vitro kinase activity in immunoprecipitates from cell lysates. However, TcR/CD3 complexes from nature CD4+ lymphocytes have detectable amounts of p56lck associated in a CD4-independent manner, as shown by immunodepletion of the lysates with anti-CD4 antibodies. In addition, TcR/CD3 also bind p59fyn regardless of the presence of CD4. Conversely, we have observed that CD4 co-precipitates small quantities of p56fyn in a TcR/CD3-independent manner. Overall, our data suggest the existence of different possible molecular complexes between TcR/CD3, CD4 and their attending kinases, as well as some quantitative and qualitative differences between CD4+ T cells and CD4+ T cell lines in kinase association to the TcR/CD3 complex.

Vav and SLP-76 interact and functionally cooperate in IL-2 gene activation

T cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of many intracellular proteins, including the proto-oncogene Vav, which is expressed exclusively in hematopoietic and trophoblast cells. Vav is critical for lymphocyte development and activation. Overexpression of Vav in Jurkat T cells leads to potentiation of TCR-mediated IL-2 gene activation. However, the biochemical function of Vav is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the major induced tyrosine phosphoprotein associated with Vav is the hematopoietic cell-specific SLP-76. The Vav SH2 domain is required for this interaction and for TCR-mediated Vav tyrosine phosphorylation. Similar to Vav, overexpression of SLP-76 markedly potentiates TCR-mediated NF-AT and IL-2 gene activation. Furthermore, overexpression of both Vav and SLP-76 synergistically induces basal and TCR-stimulated NF-AT activation. These results suggest that a signaling complex containing Vav and SLP-76 plays an important role in lymphocyte activation.

Regulation of T cell receptor signaling by tyrosine phosphatase SYP association with CTLA-4

The absence of CTLA-4 results in uncontrolled T cell proliferation. The T cell receptor-specific kinases FYN, LCK, and ZAP-70 as well as the RAS pathway were found to be activated in T cells of Ctla-4-/- mutant mice. In addition, CTLA-4 specifically associated with the tyrosine phosphatase SYP, an interaction mediated by the SRC homology 2 (SH2) domains of SYP and the phosphotyrosine sequence Tyr-Val-Lys-Met within the CTLA-4 cytoplasmic tail. The CTLA-4-associated SYP had phosphatase activity toward the RAS regulator p52SHC. Thus, the RAS pathway and T cell activation through the T cell receptor are regulated by CTLA-4-associated SYP.

TCR activation of ZAP70 is impaired in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes as a consequence of intrathymic interactions that diminish available p56lck

The fate of developing CD4+CD8+ thymocytes is determined by signals transduced through surface TCR complexes. Here, we report that cross-linking of TCR on CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes fails to activate ZAP70 protein tyrosine kinase and fails to initiate downstream signaling events, unless the TCR are coaggregated with surface coreceptor molecules. TCR signaling in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes is impaired because the number of available p56lck molecules is diminished by intrathymic CD4-Ia interactions that initially activate p56lck molecules, which are subsequently degraded. As a consequence of intrathymic CD4-Ia interactions, TCR zeta chains are initially phosphorylated to recruit ZAP70 molecules, but the recruited ZAP70 molecules are not subsequently phosphorylated, resulting in TCR complexes that are stably associated with inactive ZAP70 molecules. Thus, intrathymic interactions that diminish p56lck regulate TCR signaling thresholds and affect TCR structure in developing CD4+CD8+ thymocytes.

SH2 domain function is essential for the role of the Lck tyrosine kinase in T cell receptor signal transduction

Tyrosine kinase activity is required for signal transduction through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). The Src family tyrosine kinase Lck appears to play a key role in the initiation of TCR signaling events. We have investigated the role of the phosphotyrosine-binding Src homology-2 (SH2), domain of Lck in TCR signaling. Lck containing a mutation in the phosphotyrosine binding pocket of the SH2 domain was expressed in an Lck-deficient cell line. We found that, in contrast to wild-type Lck, the SH2 domain mutant was unable to restore even the earliest TCR-mediated signaling events. To investigate the role of the Lck SH2 domain, we examined the association of tyrosine phosphoproteins with Lck. The predominant associated phosphoprotein was the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase, which has also been implicated in the initiation of TCR signaling. In addition, the zeta subunit of the T cell receptor was found to weakly associate with Lck. Further analysis indicated that the SH2 domain of Lck can directly recognize both ZAP-70 and zeta in immunoprecipitates from TCR-stimulated cells. Our findings demonstrate that the SH2 domain of Lck is essential for the initiation of signaling events following TCR stimulation probably as a result of its ability to mediate an interaction between Lck and the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase and/or the zeta subunit of the T cell receptor.

Conformational changes induced in the protein tyrosine kinase p72syk by tyrosine phosphorylation or by binding of phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif peptides

A critical event in signaling in immune cells is the interaction of Syk or ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinases with multisubunit receptors that contain an approximately 18-amino-acid domain called the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). Tyrosine-phosphorylated Syk from activated cells was in a conformation different from that in nonstimulated cells as demonstrated by changes in immunoreactivity. The addition of tyrosine-diphosphorylated ITAM peptides resulted in a similar conformational change in Syk from nonactivated cells. The peptides based on FcepsilonRIgamma were more active than those based on Fcepsilon RIbeta. In vitro autophosphorylation of Syk was dramatically enhanced by the addition of the diphosphorylated ITAM peptides. The conformational change and the enhanced autophosphorylation required the presence of both phosphorylated tyrosines on the same molecule. These conformational changes in Syk by tyrosine phosphorylation or binding to diphosphorylated ITAM could be critical for Syk activation and downstream propagation of intracellular signals.

Dominant-negative zeta-associated protein 70 inhibits T cell antigen receptor signaling

Zeta-associated protein (ZAP)-70 is a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine required for T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling and development. Mutations in ZAP-70 result in severe combined immunodeficiency in humans. ZAP-70 interacts with the TCR by binding to tyrosine-phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) present in the invariant subunits of the TCR complex. Here we report that two ZAP-70 mutants devoid of kinase activity, generated either by a point mutation in the kinase domain to create an inactive kinase, or by truncation of the entire kinase domain (SH2[N+C]), functioned as dominant-negative mutants to specifically suppress TCR-mediated activation of NFAT, a nuclear factor essential for inducible interleukin 2 gene expression. Biochemical studies with the SH2(N+C) mutant showed that it also blocked early TCR signaling events, such as p95vav tyrosine phosphorylation, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 activation, and the association of a number of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins with growth factor receptor-binding protein 2 (GRB2). The inhibitory effects of the SH2(N+C) mutant revealed that it requires an intact phosphotyrosine-binding site in its COOH-terminal SH2 domain. Using a CD8-zeta chimeric receptor to analyze the interaction of the SH2(N+C) mutant with ITAMs of TCR-zeta, we found that this mutant was constitutively bound to the hyperphosphorylated CD8-zeta chimera. These results indicate that tyrosine-phosphorylated ITAM is the target for the action of this dominant-negative mutant, suggesting that the assembly of a functional receptor signaling complex on ITAMs is a critical proximal TCR signaling event leading to downstream activation.

The SH3 domain of p56lck binds to proline-rich sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of CD2

CD2, a cell surface glycoprotein expressed on T cells and natural killer cells, can couple to signaling pathways that result in T cell proliferation. An Src-like protein tyrosine kinase, p56lck, coprecipitates with CD2, and perturbation of CD2 by monoclonal antibodies results in an increase in the activity of p56lck, suggesting that an interaction with p56lck contributes to CD2-mediated signaling. Herein, we investigate the mechanism by which CD2 associates with p56lck. We demonstrate that CD2 and p56lck associate when coexpressed in nonlymphoid cells, that this association requires the cytoplasmic domain of CD2, and that the SH3 domain of p56lck mediates its interactions with CD2. Using truncation mutants of CD2, we identify two regions in the cytoplasmic domain of CD2 involved in binding p56lck. Each region contains a proline-rich sequence that, in the form of a synthetic peptide, directly binds p56lck. Thus, proline-rich sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of CD2 allow this transmembrane receptor to bind to the SH3 domain of p56lck.

Interaction between G proteins and tyrosine kinases upon T cell receptor.CD3-mediated signaling

Engagement of the T cell receptor (TCR).CD3 complex results in the induction of multiple intracellular events, with protein tyrosine kinases playing a pivotal role in their initiation. Biochemical studies also exist suggesting the involvement of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins); however, the functional consequence of this participation in TCR.CD3-mediated signaling is unresolved. Here, we report TCR.CD3-mediated guanine nucleotide exchange among the 42-kDa G protein alpha subunits of the G alpha q/11 family, their physical association with CD3 epsilon, and the G alpha 11-dependent activation of phospholipase C beta. Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, however, abrogate TCR.CD3-mediated G protein activation. Quite interesting is the observation that cells transfected with a function-deficient mutant of G alpha 11 display diminished tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR.CD3 zeta and epsilon chains, as well as ZAP-70, upon anti-CD3 antibody triggering. These data indicate the involvement of the G alpha q/11 family in TCR.CD3 signaling at a step proximal to the receptor and suggest a reciprocal regulation between tyrosine kinases and G proteins in T cells.

Human T lymphocyte activation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of alpha-tubulin and its association with the SH2 domain of the p59fyn protein tyrosine kinase

A glutathione-S-transferase-src-homology domain 2 (GST-SH2) fusion protein was employed to identify molecules interacting with the protein tyrosine kinase p59fyn. Among several proteins which bound to the fyn SH2 domain in lysates of human Jurkat T lymphocytes, alpha- and beta-tubulin were identified by N-terminal sequencing. Further analysis established that alpha-tubulin exists as a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in Jurkat cells, where it interacts with p59fyn, but not with p56lck. By contrast, in untransformed resting human T lymphocytes alpha-tubulin is not detectable as a tyrosine phosphorylated protein. However, following T cell activation, it becomes rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and subsequently associates with the SH2 domain of fyn. Interestingly, constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated alpha-tubulin that is able to interact with the fyn-SH2 domain is expressed in peripheral blood T lymphoblasts isolated from leukemic patients in the absence of external stimulation.

Syk mutation in Jurkat E6-derived clones results in lack of p72syk expression

The human leukemic Jurkat cell line is commonly used as a model cellular system to study T lymphocyte signal transduction. Various clonal derivatives of Jurkat T cells exist which display different characteristics with regard to responses to external stimuli. Among these, the E6-1 clone of Jurkat T cells has been used as a parental line from which numerous important somatic mutant clones have been generated. During the course of experiments examining signals initiated by the T cell antigen receptor in an E6-1-derived Jurkat cell clone J.CaM1, we observed that the 72-kilodalton Syk protein tyrosine kinase previously found in other Jurkat cells was not detected. Upon further analysis it was determined that Syk transcripts from the J.CaM1 cells as well as the parental E6-1 cells contain a single guanine nucleotide insertion at position 92. This nucleotide insertion results in a shift in the Syk open reading frame leading to alternate codon usage as well as the generation of a termination codon at position 109. Thus, Syk transcripts in E6-1 cells and E6-1-derived clones are predicted to be capable of encoding only the first 33 amino acids of the 630-amino acid wild type Syk. These findings are incompatible with a recently proposed model of T cell antigen receptor signal transduction based, in part, on experiments conducted using E6-1-derived cells, suggesting that Syk might play a role upstream of Lck and Zap70.

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) complex is functionally coupled to the TCR-zeta subunit

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) complex regulates early T cell development and consists of a heterodimer of the TCR-beta subunit in association with the pre-TCR-alpha chain. Notably, in contrast to alpha/beta-expressing T cells, several studies suggested that the TCR-zeta chain is not stably associated with this pre-TCR complex. To examine the proximal signaling processes mediated by the pre-TCR complex and the role of the TCR-zeta chain in these processes, we stimulated pre-TCR-expressing cells and analyzed the interactions of the TCR/CD3 invariant chains with the Syk/ZAP-70 family of protein tyrosine kinases. Stimulation of the pre-TCR complex led to the tyrosine phosphorylation of the CD3 epsilon and TCR-zeta chains, as well as the phosphorylation and association of ZAP-70 and Syk with phosphorylated CD3 epsilon and TCR-zeta. These results demonstrate that the pre-TCR complex is functionally coupled to the TCR-zeta subunit and to the ZAP-70 and Syk protein tyrosine kinases.

A mutation in zap-70 protein tyrosine kinase results in a selective immunodeficiency

We have previously described a new type of selective T-cell deficiency characterized by persistent infections reminiscent of severe combined immunodeficiency. We show here that selective T-cell deficiency patients carry a mutation of zap-70 protein tyrosine kinase, resulting in a loss of the activity of this kinase. The thymus of zap-70(-1-1) patients shows the presence of CD4CD8 double-positive cells in the cortex, however, only CD4, and not CD8, single-positive cells are present in the medulla. Peripheral CD4+ T cells from the zap-70(-1-1) patients exhibit markedly reduced tyrosine phosphorylation, fail to produce interleukin-2, and do not proliferate in response to T-cell receptor stimulation by mitogens or antigens. Thus zap-70 kinase appears to be indispensable for the development of CD8 single-positive T cells as well as for the signal transduction and function of single-positive CD4 T cells.

The proto-oncogene Vav product is constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated in normal human immature T cells

The proto-oncogene Vav product is markedly tyrosine-phosphorylated after the recruitment of various receptors of cells of hematopoietic origin, including mature T cells. Recent studies on Vav-deficient mice have clearly implicated the product of the proto-oncogene Vav in intrathymic T cell development. Vav tyrosine phosphorylation is probably crucial to connect early tyrosine kinase(s) to downstream molecular events leading to cell division and maturation that occur in the thymus. We investigated the tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav in human thymocytes. Immunoblotting experiments demonstrate that, as in mature T cells, tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav is induced following thymocyte stimulation through the T cell receptor. The main observation, however, is that an important fraction of cellular Vav is constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated in freshly isolated cells. This phenomenon takes place apparently both in the CD4+CD8+ and the more mature CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+ thymocyte cell subsets. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed, moreover, that a small amount of Vav is engaged in the multimolecular complex that includes elements of the T cell receptor and the T cell specific ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase. Altogether, these data suggest that a critical pathway for T cell development in the human thymus likely involves the permanent activation of Vav in vivo.

T cells from late tumor-bearing mice express normal levels of p56lck, p59fyn, ZAP-70, and CD3 zeta despite suppressed cytolytic activity

Loss of T cell-associated signal transduction molecules has recently been implicated in immune suppression in tumor-bearing hosts. In the present study, we have examined this and related phenomenon extensively in a large number of tumor-bearing mice, analyzed individually. Splenic T cells from tumor-bearing mice were isolated and characterized with respect to the following: (a) levels of three tyrosine kinases, p56lck, p59fyn, and ZAP-70; (b) expression of CD3-zeta; (c) alloreactive responses; and (d) antigen-specific responses. Contrary to recent reports, T cells from tumor-bearing mice were observed to express normal levels of lck, fyn, ZAP-70, and CD3-zeta. Further, T cells showed healthy alloreactive and antigen-specific responses until approximately 3 wk after post tumor challenge, when the tumors constituted approximately 20% of the body weight. Alterations with respect to some parameters were observed only in mice that had been bearing larger tumors for a considerably longer period. As human tumors are unlikely to grow to such large sizes (e.g., > 20% of the total body weight), the significance of the alterations in T cell expression of lck, fyn, ZAP-70, or CD3-zeta in the immune status of cancer patients is unclear. Altogether, these results indicate that alterations in T cell signal transduction molecules do not account for the profound tumor-specific suppression observed during tumor growth.

The role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the interaction of cellular tyrosine kinases with the T cell receptor zeta chain tyrosine-based activation motif

Immunoglobulin receptor family tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM) define a conserved signaling sequence, EX2YX2L/IX7YX2L/I, that mediates coupling of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) to protein tyrosine kinases (PTK). In the present study, we explored the role of phosphorylation of the two ITAM tyrosine residues in the interactions of the motif with the PTK ZAP-70 and p59fyn. The data show that the phosphorylation of a single tyrosine within the motif enables binding of p59fyn, whereas phosphorylation of both tyrosines within the motif is required for maximal binding of the PTK ZAP-70. Quantitative binding experiments show that nanomolar concentrations of the doubly phosphorylated zeta 1-ITAM are sufficient for ZAP-70 recruitment, whereas micromolar levels of singly phosphorylated ITAM are necessary for p59fyn binding. ZAP-70 binds with low efficiency to a singly phosphorylated ITAM, but shows preferential binding to the C-terminal phosphotyrosine in the ITAM, whereas p59fyn binds selectively to the N-terminal phosphotyrosine. The present data thus show that there is the potential for a singly phosphorylated ITAM to couple to cellular PTK. Moreover, the data suggest a mechanism for heterogeneity in signal transduction responses by the TCR, since ITAM could differentially couple the TCR to downstream signaling events depending on their phosphorylation state.

Absence of ZAP-70 prevents signaling through the antigen receptor on peripheral blood T cells but not on thymocytes

Recently, a severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome with a deficiency of CD8+ peripheral T cells and a TCR signal transduction defect in peripheral CD4+ T cells was associated with mutations in ZAP-70. Since TCR signaling is required in developmental decisions resulting in mature CD4 (and CD8) T cells, the presence of peripheral CD4+ T cells expressing TCRs incapable of signaling in these patients is paradoxical. Here, we show that the TCRs on thymocytes, but not peripheral T cells, from a ZAP-70-deficient patient are capable of signaling. Moreover, the TCR on a thymocyte line derived from this patient can signal, and the homologous kinase Syk is present at high levels and is tyrosine phosphorylated after TCR stimulation. Thus, Syk may compensate for the loss of ZAP-70 and account for the thymic selection of at least a subset of T cells (CD4+) in ZAP-70-deficient patients.

Molecular basis for interaction of the protein tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 with the T-cell receptor

The crystal structure of the tandem SH2 domains of human ZAP-70 in complex with a peptide derived from the zeta-subunit of the T-cell receptor reveals an unanticipated interaction between the two domains. A coiled coil of alpha-helices connects the two SH2 domains, producing an interface that constitutes one of the two critical phosphotyrosine binding sites. These and other unique features provide the molecular basis for highly selective association of ZAP-70 with the T-cell receptor.

Role of tyrosine kinases in lymphocyte activation: targets for drug intervention

Recent developments in our understanding of lymphocyte receptor-associated signalling events have offered many new potential targets for modifying antigen and cytokine receptor signalling events in immune-related diseases such as allergy, autoimmunity and transplant rejection. As discussed below, these targets are largely tissue-restricted and are functionally confined to a limited set of receptors. Therefore, it is anticipated that selective inhibitors of these signalling events would offer safe and effective therapies for immunologically-based diseases. First, we review T and B cell antigen receptor signalling as targets for inhibiting lymphocyte responses. Second, targets in lymphocyte cytokine receptor signalling pathways are discussed. Finally, we review strategies for inhibition of receptor signalling.

Activating and inhibitory mutations in adjacent tyrosines in the kinase domain of ZAP-70

ZAP-70 is an 70-kDa protein tyrosine kinase, expressed exclusively in T cells and NK cells, and plays a critical role in mediating T cell activation in response to T cell receptor engagement. The strong correlation between tyrosine phosphorylation of ZAP-70 and its acquisition of increased kinase activity suggests that is is positively regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Previously, we identified tyrosines 492 and 493 of ZAP-70 as being sites of in vivo phosphorylation in response to T cell receptor engagement. To determine the role of phosphorylation in regulating ZAP-70 activity, we mutated each of these tyrosines individually to phenylalanine. When expressed in COS cells, Y493F-mutated ZAP-70 demonstrated normal basal kinase activity, but, unlike wild type ZAP-70, could not be activated by tyrosine phosphorylation induced by incubation with pervanadate or by co-expression of constitutively activated Lck. This suggests that Tyr-493 phosphorylation is required for the tyrosine phosphorylation-induced activation of ZAP-70. The Y492F mutation resulted in 4-fold higher basal kinase activity, which could be stimulated further by tyrosine phosphorylation. These results reveal that critical tyrosine residues in the kinase domain of ZAP-70 are important in regulation of its catalytic activity.

Activation of the high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptor Fc epsilon RI in RBL-2H3 cells is inhibited by Syk SH2 domains

Antigen-mediated aggregation of the high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E, Fc epsilon RI, results in the activation of multiple signaling pathways, leading to the release of mediators of the allergic response. One of the earliest responses to receptor stimulation is the tyrosine phosphorylation of the beta and gamma subunits of Fc epsilon RI and the association of the tyrosine kinase Syk with the phosphorylated receptor. This association is mediated by the SH2 domains of Syk and is believed to be critical for activating signaling pathways resulting in mediator release. To examine the importance of the interaction of Syk with Fc epsilon RI in signaling events following receptor activation, we introduced a protein containing the SH2 domains of Syk into streptolysin O-permeabilized RBL-2H3 cells. The Syk SH2 domains completely inhibited degranulation and leukotriene production following receptor aggregation, and they blocked the increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation observed after receptor activation. Inhibition was specific for Fc epsilon RI-mediated signaling, since degranulation of cells activated by alternative stimuli was not blocked by the Syk SH2 domains. A protein containing a point mutation in the carboxy-terminal SH2 domain which abolishes phosphotyrosine binding was not inhibitory. In addition, inhibition of degranulation was reversed by pretreatment of the SH2 domains with a tyrosine phosphorylated peptide corresponding to the tyrosine-based activation motif found in the gamma subunit of Fc epsilon RI, the nonphosphorylated peptide had no effect. The association of Syk with the tyrosine-phosphorylated gamma subunit of the activated receptor was blocked by the Syk SH2 domains, and deregulation in cells activated by clustering of Syk directly without Fc epsilon RI aggregation was not affected by the Syk SH2 domains. These results demonstrate that the association of Syk with the activated Fc epsilon RI is critical for both early and late events following receptor activation and confirm the key role Syk plays in signaling through the high-affinity IgE receptor.

Tyrosine phosphorylation participates in peripheral T-cell activation and programmed cell death in vivo

T-cell antigen receptor (TCR), which is not itself a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), is thought to be associated with at least two SRC-like PTKs, P59fyn and ZAP-70. Activation of these PTKs is required for T-cell signal transduction. The aim of the present study was to determine the roles of PTKs in peripheral T-cell activation, induced by in vivo bacterial superantigen administration. We demonstrated that in vivo staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) administration induced an enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation in peripheral spleen T cells undergoing a programmed cell death. In vitro immunecomplex kinase assay using antibody against P59fyn showed increased fyn kinase activity in SEB-stimulated spleen T cells. We examined the effect of PTK-specific inhibitors on DNA fragmentation and programmed cell death of V beta 8 positive T cells following in vitro culture of SEB-primed spleen T cells. Our results indicated that pretreatment of SEB-activated T cells with PTK inhibitors reduced DNA fragmentation and programmed cell death of V beta 8 positive T cells. These findings suggest that PTK plays an important role in activation and apoptosis of peripheral T cells induced by in vivo SEB administration.

Interaction between lck and syk family tyrosine kinases in Fc gamma receptor-initiated activation of natural killer cells

Ligation of the Fc gamma R on natural killer (NK) cells results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple substrates critical for intracellular signaling and activation of NK cell effector functions. However, it remains unclear which nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases (PTK) participate in this process. In this report we demonstrate that Fc gamma R ligation induced the tyrosine phosphorylation and increased the catalytic activities of both syk family PTKs, ZAP-70, and syk. The phosphorylation of ZAP-70 and syk was enhanced markedly by overexpression of wild-type lck but not by a kinase-inactive mutant, suggesting that early Fc gamma R-initiated activation of lck results in the subsequent regulation of syk family PTKs. The regulatory interplay between src and syk family PTKs was emphasized further by the observation that lck overexpression enhanced the association of ZAP-70 with the zeta chain of the Fc gamma R complex. Additional analyses indicated that lck induced the subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 2. Interestingly, the regulatory effects of lck on ZAP-70, syk, and PLC-gamma 2 could not be replaced by overexpression of either fyn or src, demonstrating a selective role for lck in effectively coupling Fc gamma R stimulation to critical downstream signaling events. Taken together, our results suggest not only that Fc gamma R stimulation on NK cells is coupled to the intracellular activation of both ZAP-70 and syk, but that the src family member, lck, can selectively regulate this tyrosine kinase cascade.

Distinct signaling properties identify functionally different CD4 epitopes

The CD4 coreceptor interacts with non-polymorphic regions of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and contributes to T cell activation. We have investigated the effect of CD4 triggering on T cell activating signals in a lymphoma model using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which recognize different CD4 epitopes. We demonstrate that CD4 triggering delivers signals capable of activating the NF-AT transcription factor which is required for interleukin-2 gene expression. Whereas different anti-CD4 mAb or HIV-1 gp120 could all trigger activation of the protein tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn and phosphorylation of the Shc adaptor protein, which mediates signals to Ras, they differed significantly in their ability to activate NF-AT. Lack of full activation of NF-AT could be correlated to a dramatically reduced capacity to induce calcium flux and could be complemented with a calcium ionophore. The results identify functionally distinct epitopes on the CD4 coreceptor involved in activation of the Ras/protein kinase C and calcium pathways.

The SH2 domains of Src family kinases associate with Syk

Src family kinases (Lyn, Fyn, Lck, and Blk) and Syk, a tandem SH2 domain containing tyrosine kinase, have been demonstrated to be associated with the antigen receptor in B cells. Both of these categories of tyrosine kinases are presumed to be critical players in the process of antigen-mediated signal transduction. Cross-linking of membrane immunoglobulin on the surface of B cells leads to the activation of Lyn, Fyn, and Blk, which presumably associate with the cytoplasmic tails of the membrane immunoglobulin-associated Ig alpha/beta heterodimer. Receptor ligation also leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation and catalytic activation of Syk, but the mechanism of association of this kinase with the antigen receptor remains to be established. A number of phosphoproteins that can associate with the SH2 domains of Blk, Lyn, and Fyn have been described in activated B cells. We demonstrate here that Syk is one of the proteins in the lysates of activated B cells which bind to the SH2 domains of Src family kinases. Syk binds directly to the SH2 domain of Blk and complexes in vivo with Lyn and Blk in activated B cells.

Syk and ZAP-70 mediate recruitment of p56lck/CD4 to the activated T cell receptor/CD3/zeta complex

During antigen recognition by T cells, CD4 and the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3/zeta complex are thought to interact with the same major histocompatibility complex II molecule in a stable ternary complex. Evidence has suggested that the association of CD4 with TCR/CD3/zeta requires the interaction of the protein tyrosine kinase p56lck with CD4. We have taken a biochemical approach to understand the mechanism by which p56lck and, in particular, its src homology (SH) 2 domain contributes to the association of CD4 with TCR/CD3/zeta during activation. We have previously shown that the p56lck SH2 domain binds directly to tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70. Here we formally demonstrate the in vivo association of p56lck with the homologous protein tyrosine kinases Syk and ZAP-70 after CD3 stimulation of Jurkat cells. A tyrosine-phosphorylated peptide containing the sequence predicted to be optimal for binding to the SH2 domain of src family kinases specifically competes for this association, indicating that tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70 and Syk bind to p56lck by an SH2-mediated interaction. We also show that the same peptide is able to compete for the activation-dependent TCR/CD4 association in Jurkat cells. Moreover, ZAP-70 and CD4 cocap only after CD3 stimulation in human T lymphoblasts. We propose that the interaction of the p56lck SH2 domain with zeta-associated tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70 and/or Syk enables CD4 to associate with antigen-stimulated TCR/CD3/zeta complexes.

Binding of ZAP-70 to phosphorylated T-cell receptor zeta and eta enhances its autophosphorylation and generates specific binding sites for SH2 domain-containing proteins

ZAP-70 is a protein tyrosine kinase thought to play a critical role in T-cell receptor (TCR) signal transduction. During T-cell activation, ZAP-70 binds to a conserved signalling motif known as the immune receptor tyrosine activating motif (ITAM) and becomes tyrosine phosphorylated. To determine whether binding of ZAP-70 to the phosphorylated ITAM was able to activate its kinase activity, we measured the kinase activity of ZAP-70 both when it was bound and when it was unbound to phosphorylated TCR subunits. The ability of ZAP-70 to phosphorylate itself, but not exogenous substrates, was enhanced when it was bound to the tyrosine-phosphorylated TCR zeta and eta chains or to a construct that contained duplicated epsilon ITAMs. No enhanced ZAP-70 autophosphorylation was noted when it was bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated CD3 gamma or epsilon. In addition, autophosphorylation of ZAP-70 when bound to zeta or eta resulted in the generation of multiple distinct ZAP-70 phosphorylated tyrosine residues which had the capacity to bind the SH2 domains of fyn, lck, GAP, and abl. As the effect was noted only when ZAP-70 was bound to TCR subunits containing multiple ITAMs, we propose that one of the roles of the tandem ITAMs is to facilitate the autophosphorylation of ZAP-70. Tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70 then mediates downstream signalling by recruiting SH2 domain-containing signalling proteins.

Analysis of the interaction of ZAP-70 and syk protein-tyrosine kinases with the T-cell antigen receptor by plasmon resonance

Tyrosine phosphorylation of a 17-amino acid immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), conserved in each of the signaling subunits of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR), mediates the recruitment of ZAP-70 and syk protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) to the activated receptor. The interaction between the two tandemly arranged Src-homology 2 (SH2) domains of this family of PTKs and each of the phosphotyrosine-containing ITAMs was examined by real-time measurements of kinetic parameters. The association rate and equilibrium binding constants for the ZAP-70 and syk SH2 domains were determined for the CD3 epsilon ITAM. Both PTKs bound with ka and Kd values of 5 x 10(6) M-1.sec-1 and approximately 25 nM, respectively. Bindings to the other TCR ITAMs (zeta 1, zeta 2, gamma, and delta ITAMs) were comparable, although the zeta 3 ITAM bound approximately 2.5-fold less well. Studies of the affinity of a single functional SH2 domain of ZAP-70 provided evidence for the cooperative nature of binding of the dual SH2 domains. Mutation of either single SH2 domain decreased the Kd by > 100-fold. Finally, the critical features of the ITAM for syk binding were found to be similar to those required for ZAP-70 binding. These data provide insight into the mechanism by which the multisubunit TCR interacts with downstream effector molecules.

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.

HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 disrupts CD4-p56lck/CD3-T cell receptor interactions and inhibits CD3 signaling

Using the CD4+ human T cell clone P28, we demonstrated that the HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 inhibited CD3-induced inositol trisphosphate production, calcium influx and T cell proliferation. Additionally, gp120 was shown to dissociate the tyrosine kinase p56lck from CD4 in CEM cells, with a concommittant inhibition of CD4-linked kinase activity. We have addressed the question whether disruption of CD4/p56lck or CD4/CD3-T cell receptor interactions, or both, could account for the inhibitory effect of gp120 in P28 cells. By comparing the effects of various anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with those of gp120, we show that gp120 and IOT4a modulate CD4 expression, and decrease CD4-associated p56lck and CD4-linked kinase activity at the plasma membrane. In contrast, OKT4A and OKT4 anti-CD4 mAb have no inhibitory effect. Interestingly, gp120 also inhibits CD3-induced Lck activation and cellular tyrosine phosphorylation, particularly of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-gamma-1. Kinetic experiments reveal that the inhibitory effect of gp120 on CD3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation appears as early as 30 min, but culminate when CD4-p56lck complexes disappear from the cell surface after 4 h. These results suggest that a negative signal is triggered by gp120 that results, after a few hours, in down-modulation of CD4-p56lck complexes and the impairment of CD3 signaling. Supporting this hypothesis, gp120 inhibits CD3-linked kinase activity as shown by the inhibition of the phosphorylation of CD3 chains, leading to the inhibition of subsequent signal transduction.

T cell receptor iota an alternatively spliced product of the T cell receptor zeta gene

It has been previously suggested that three alternative splicings of the murine T cell receptor (TCR) zeta gene are involved in the regulation of TCR/CD3 transduction signals. We here describe a new alternative splicing of this gene (TCR iota), cloned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, that is encoded by exons 1-7 and 10. The protein putatively encoded by TCR iota mRNA differs in its carboxy terminus from that coded by TCR0 as a consequence of the reading frame shift of exon 10. The possible role of this new splicing in TCR modulation is briefly discussed.

Tyrosine phosphorylation pathway is involved in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production; effect of sodium ortho vanadate

The molecular mechanisms regulating IFN-gamma production have yet to be well characterized. We describe here how treatment of activated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with the phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTP) inhibitor sodium ortho vanadate results in greatly enhanced IFN-gamma production. Conversely, cellular proliferation of the same cultures is profoundly inhibited by treatment with vanadate, while the expression of IL-2R and DR molecules on activated lymphocytes remains substantially unmodified. Increased IFN-gamma production, but not inhibition of cellular proliferation, was also observed in mitogen-activated vanadate-treated Jurkat cells. On the other hand, IFN-gamma production induced in cultures of PBMC treated or not with vanadate, was strongly inhibited by incubation with the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor herbimycin A. As a result of the inhibited phosphatase activity, substrates for PTK become hyperphosphorylated on tyrosine residues, as shown by Western blot analysis of cell lysates from cultures of PBMC treated with vanadate. We suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation pathway plays a role in regulating IFN-gamma production.

Transmembrane signaling by antigen receptors of B and T lymphocytes

The specificity of immune responses depends upon the activation of only those lymphocytes that recognize the introduced antigen. In recent years, a great deal has been learned about the structure of lymphocyte receptors for antigens and about their signal transduction mechanism. These receptors activate intracellular protein tyrosine kinases of at least two families, the Src family and the Syk/ZAP-70 family. Recent studies have given us considerable insight into the interactions of these two types of kinases and how they mediate antigen receptor signaling.