Cloning of a novel T-cell protein FYB that binds FYN and SH2-domain-containing leukocyte protein 76 and modulates interleukin 2 production

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP): roles in signaling and cytoskeletal organization

The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked primary immunodeficiency that is characterized by recurrent infections, hematopoietic malignancies, eczema, and thrombocytopenia. A variety of hematopoietic cells are affected by the genetic defect, including lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and platelets. Early studies noted both signaling and cytoskeletal abnormalities in lymphocytes from WAS patients. Following the identification of WASP, the gene mutated in patients with this syndrome, and the more generally expressed WASP homologue N-WASP, studies have demonstrated that WASP-family molecules associate with numerous signaling molecules known to alter the actin cytoskeleton. WASP/N-WASP may depolymerize actin directly and/or serve as an adaptor or scaffold for these signaling molecules in a complex cascade that regulates the cytoskeleton.

SLP-76 and Vav function in separate, but overlapping pathways to augment interleukin-2 promoter activity

SLP-76 and Vav, two hematopoietic cell specific molecules, are critical for T cell development and activation. Following T cell antigen receptor stimulation, SLP-76 and Vav both undergo tyrosine phosphorylation and associate with each other via the SH2 domain of Vav and phosphorylated tyrosines of SLP-76. Furthermore, SLP-76 and Vav have a synergistic effect on interleukin (IL)-2 promoter activity in T cells. In this report, we show that two tyrosines, Tyr-113 and Tyr-128, of SLP-76 are required for its binding to Vav, both in vitro and in intact cells. Surprisingly, we find also that the interaction between SLP-76 and Vav is not required for their cooperation in augmenting IL-2 promoter activity, as the two molecules appear to function in different signaling pathways upstream of IL-2 gene expression. Overexpression of SLP-76 in the Jurkat T cell line potentiates the activities of both nuclear factor of activated T cells and AP-1 transcription factors. In contrast, overexpression of Vav leads to enhanced nuclear factor of activated T cells activity without affecting AP-1. Additionally, overexpression of Vav, but not SLP-76, augments CD28-induced IL-2 promoter activity. These findings suggest that the synergy between SLP-76 and Vav in regulating IL-2 gene expression reflects the cooperation between different signaling pathways.

Characterization of the B cell-specific adaptor SLP-65 and other protein tyrosine kinase substrates by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

The identification of substrates for protein tyrosine kinases in B cells is a critical step to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of lymphocyte activation through the antigen receptor. The substrate proteins were immunopurified from stimulated B cells and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis techniques using either the isoelectric focussing (IEF)/SDS-PAGE or the non-equilibrium PH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE)/SDS-PAGE method. The biochemical characteristics of the proteins (isoelectric point and relative molecular mass) obtained and the subsequent use of antibodies that are specific for different cellular proteins confirmed the participation of HS1, Vav, Ig-alpha, Lyn and Btk in antigen receptor-mediated signal transduction. The heat shock cognate protein HSC70 was identified as a novel substrate protein in activated B cells. An important signaling function has previously been suggested for a 65-kDa protein (p65), whose phosphorylation can be detected before that of other substrate proteins. The analysis identified p65 as a so far unknown protein. Based on p65 peptide sequences, the full length cDNA was isolated and found to encode a B cell-specific adaptor protein, called SLP-65.

SHP2-interacting transmembrane adaptor protein (SIT), a novel disulfide-linked dimer regulating human T cell activation

T lymphocytes express several low molecular weight transmembrane adaptor proteins that recruit src homology (SH)2 domain-containing intracellular molecules to the cell membrane via tyrosine-based signaling motifs. We describe here a novel molecule of this group termed SIT (SHP2 interacting transmembrane adaptor protein). SIT is a disulfide-linked homodimeric glycoprotein that is expressed in lymphocytes. After tyrosine phosphorylation by src and possibly syk protein tyrosine kinases SIT recruits the SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 via an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif. Overexpression of SIT in Jurkat cells downmodulates T cell receptor- and phytohemagglutinin-mediated activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) by interfering with signaling processes that are probably located upstream of activation of phospholipase C. However, binding of SHP2 to SIT is not required for inhibition of NF-AT induction, suggesting that SIT not only regulates NF-AT activity but also controls NF-AT unrelated pathways of T cell activation involving SHP2.

GrpL, a Grb2-related adaptor protein, interacts with SLP-76 to regulate nuclear factor of activated T cell activation

Propagation of signals from the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) involves a number of adaptor molecules. SH2 domain-containing protein 76 (SLP-76) interacts with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav to activate the nuclear factor of activated cells (NF-AT), and its expression is required for normal T cell development. We report the cloning and characterization of a novel Grb2-like adaptor molecule designated as Grb2-related protein of the lymphoid system (GrpL). Expression of GrpL is restricted to hematopoietic tissues, and it is distinguished from Grb2 by having a proline-rich region. GrpL can be coimmunoprecipitated with SLP-76 but not with Sos1 or Sos2 from Jurkat cell lysates. In contrast, Grb2 can be coimmunoprecipitated with Sos1 and Sos2 but not with SLP-76. Moreover, tyrosine-phosphorylated LAT/pp36/38 in detergent lysates prepared from anti-CD3 stimulated T cells associated with Grb2 but not GrpL. These data reveal the presence of distinct complexes involving GrpL and Grb2 in T cells. A functional role of the GrpL-SLP-76 complex is suggested by the ability of GrpL to act alone or in concert with SLP-76 to augment NF-AT activation in Jurkat T cells.

Molecular alterations of the Fyn-complex occur as late events of human T cell activation

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of anti-p59fyn immunoprecipitates obtained from non-transformed resting human T lymphocytes resulted in the identification of an oligomeric protein complex which is constitutively formed between Fyn and several additional phosphoproteins (pp43, pp72, pp85, the protein tyrosine kinase Pyk2, as well as the two recently cloned adaptor proteins, SKAP55 and SLAP-130). With the exception of pp85, these proteins seem to preferentially interact with Fyn since they are not detectable in Lck immunoprecipitates prepared under the same experimental conditions. Among the individual members of the Fyn-complex pp85, SKAP55 and pp43 are constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine residue(s) in vivo and likely interact with Fyn via its src homology 2 (SH2)-domain. In contrast to non-transformed T lymphocytes, continuously proliferating transformed human T cell lines express an altered Fyn-complex. Thus, despite normal expression and tyrosine phosphorylation, SKAP55 does not associate with Fyn in Jurkat cells and in other human T cell lines. Instead two novel proteins interact with Fyn among which one has previously been identified as alpha-tubulin. Importantly, almost identical alterations of the Fyn-complex as observed in Jurkat cells are induced in non-transformed T lymphocytes following mitogenic stimulation. These data suggest that Fyn and its associated proteins could be involved in the control of human T cell proliferation. Moreover, the analogous constitutive alterations in transformed T cell lines could indicate that deregulation of the Fyn-complex might be functionally associated with the malignant phenotype of these cells.

The hematopoietic-specific adaptor protein gads functions in T-cell signaling via interactions with the SLP-76 and LAT adaptors

BACKGROUND

The adaptor protein Gads is a Grb2-related protein originally identified on the basis of its interaction with the tyrosine-phosphorylated form of the docking protein Shc. Gads protein expression is restricted to hematopoietic tissues and cell lines. Gads contains a Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, which has previously been shown to have a similar binding specificity to that of Grb2. Gads also possesses two SH3 domains, but these have a distinct binding specificity to those of Grb2, as Gads does not bind to known Grb2 SH3 domain targets. Here, we investigated whether Gads is involved in T-cell signaling.

RESULTS

We found that Gads is highly expressed in T cells and that the SLP-76 adaptor protein is a major Gads-associated protein in vivo. The constitutive interaction between Gads and SLP-76 was mediated by the carboxy-terminal SH3 domain of Gads and a 20 amino-acid proline-rich region in SLP-76. Gads also coimmunoprecipitated the tyrosine-phosphorylated form of the linker for activated T cells (LAT) adaptor protein following cross-linking of the T-cell receptor; this interaction was mediated by the Gads SH2 domain. Overexpression of Gads and SLP-76 resulted in a synergistic augmentation of T-cell signaling, as measured by activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), and this cooperation required a functional Gads SH2 domain.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that Gads plays an important role in T-cell signaling via its association with SLP-76 and LAT. Gads may promote cross-talk between the LAT and SLP-76 signaling complexes, thereby coupling membrane-proximal events to downstream signaling pathways.

Lymphocyte signaling: adapting new adaptors

New developments in lymphocyte signaling have revealed insights into the proximal phosphorylation events associated with the T-cell receptor and into the importance of the T-cell adaptor protein Slp-76 and its B-cell homolog in the transduction of the signal from the antigen receptor.

SLP-76 Expression Is Restricted to Hemopoietic Cells of Monocyte, Granulocyte, and T Lymphocyte Lineage and Is Regulated During T Cell Maturation and Activation

The leukocyte-specific adapter protein SLP-76 is known to augment the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells and AP-1 following TCR ligation. A role for SLP-76 in additional receptor-mediated signaling events is less clear. To define the pattern of SLP-76 expression during murine hemopoiesis, we stained cells isolated from various tissues with a combination of surface markers followed by intracellular staining with a fluorochrome-labeled SLP-76-specific Ab. In the bone marrow, SLP-76 expression is largely restricted to cells of granulocyte and monocyte lineage. Heterogeneous SLP-76 expression is first detected in the CD44+CD25− subset within the CD3−CD4−CD8− thymocyte population. Interestingly, SLP-76 expression increases as thymocyte maturation progresses within the CD4−CD8− compartment but decreases as cells mature to a CD4+CD8+ phenotype. SLP-76 expression is then up-regulated following selection and concomitant with maturation to a CD4+ or CD8+ phenotype. In the periphery, SLP-76 is expressed in T lymphocytes with no detectable expression in the B cell compartment. Exposure to the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B augments SLP-76 expression in the reactive T cell subset. Furthermore, in vitro stimulation with TCR-specific Abs augments the existing levels of SLP-76. These data reveal that SLP-76 expression is coordinately regulated with surface expression of a pre-TCR or mature TCR complex during thymocyte development and that TCR ligation elicits signals that result in increased expression of SLP-76.

Cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis hypersusceptibility as a consequence of Lck deficiency in nontransformed T lymphocytes

By using antisense RNA, Lck-deficient transfectants of a T helper 2 (Th2) clone have been derived and shown to have a qualitative defect in the T cell receptor signaling pathway. A striking feature observed only in Lck-deficient T cells was the presence of a constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated 32-kDa protein. In the present study, we provide evidence that this aberrantly hyperphosphorylated protein is p34(cdc2) (cdc2) a key regulator of cell-cycle progression. Lck-deficient transfectants expressed high levels of cdc2 protein and its regulatory units, cyclins A and B. The majority of cdc2, however, was tyrosine-phosphorylated and therefore enzymatically inactive. The transfectants were significantly larger than the parental cells and contained 4N DNA. These results establish that a deficiency in Lck leads to a cell-cycle arrest in G2. Moreover, transfected cells were hypersusceptible to apoptosis when activated through the T cell receptor. Importantly, however, this hypersusceptibility was largely reversed in the presence of T cell growth factors. These findings provide evidence that, in mature T lymphocytes, cell-cycle progression through the G2-M check point requires expression of the Src-family protein tyrosine kinase, Lck. This requirement is Lck-specific; it is observed under conditions in which the closely related Fyn kinase is expressed normally, evincing against a redundancy of function between these two kinases.

Molecular interaction between the Fyn-associated protein SKAP55 and the SLP-76-associated phosphoprotein SLAP-130

It has previously been reported that in resting T-lymphocytes the protein tyrosine kinase p59 constitutively co-precipitates with four phosphoproteins of 43, 55, 85, and 120 kDa, respectively. We have recently cloned the 55-kDa protein that was termed Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein of 55 kDa (SKAP55). Here we demonstrate that the recently characterized SH2-domain-containing leukocyte protein 76-associated phosphoprotein of 130 kDa (SLAP-130) is one of the components of the Fyn complex and that it also co-precipitates with SKAP55 in human T-cells. We establish that SKAP55 and SLAP-130 associate with each other when both molecules are co-expressed in COS cells. By co-transfection of truncated mutants of SKAP55 and SLAP-130 as well as by using the two-hybrid selection system, we further demonstrate that the association between SLAP-130 and SKAP55 is direct and involves the Src homology 3 domain of SKAP55 and the proline-rich sequence of SLAP-130.

SKAP-HOM, a novel adaptor protein homologous to the FYN-associated protein SKAP55

A recombinant GST-Fyn-SH2 domain was used to purify proteins from lysates of pervanadate treated EL4 cells. N-terminal sequencing and molecular cloning of one of the purified polypeptides resulted in the identification of a novel adaptor protein that shares strong structural homology to the recently cloned Fyn-associated adaptor protein SKAP55. This protein was termed SKAP-HOM (SKAP55 homologue). Despite their striking homology, SKAP55 and SKAP-HOM have distinct characteristics. Thus, unlike SKAP55, which is exclusively expressed in T lymphocytes, SKAP-HOM expression is ubiquitous. Furthermore, while SKAP55 is constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated in resting human T cells, SKAP-HOM is expressed as a non-phosphorylated protein in the absence of external stimulus but becomes phosphorylated following T cell activation. In addition, SKAP-HOM does not associate with p59fyn in T cells although it represents a specific substrate for the kinase in COS cells. Finally, we demonstrate that, as previously shown for SKAP55, SKAP-HOM interacts with the recently identified polypeptide SLAP-130.

SLP-65: a new signaling component in B lymphocytes which requires expression of the antigen receptor for phosphorylation

The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) consists of the membrane-bound immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule as antigen-binding subunit and the Ig-alpha/Ig-beta heterodimer as signaling subunit. BCR signal transduction involves activation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and phosphorylation of several proteins, only some of which have been identified. The phosphorylation of these proteins can be induced by exposure of B cells either to antigen or to the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate/H2O2. One of the earliest substrates in B cells is a 65-kD protein, which we identify here as a B cell adaptor protein. This protein, named SLP-65, is part of a signaling complex involving Grb-2 and Vav and shows homology to SLP-76, a signaling element of the T cell receptor. In pervanadate/H2O2-stimulated cells, SLP-65 becomes phosphorylated only upon expression of the BCR. These data suggest that SLP-65 is part of a BCR transducer complex.

Association of p59(fyn) with the T lymphocyte costimulatory receptor CD2. Binding of the Fyn Src homology (SH) 3 domain is regulated by the Fyn SH2 domain

Human CD2 is a 50-55-kDa cell surface receptor specifically expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes and NK cells. Stimulation of human peripheral blood T cells with mitogenic pairs of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is sufficient to induce interleukin-2 production and T cell proliferation in the absence of an antigen-specific signal through the T cell receptor. CD2 has been shown previously to associate physically with the Src family protein-tyrosine kinases p56(lck) and p59(fyn). We now report that stimulation of T cells with mitogenic pairs of anti-CD2 mAbs enhanced the association of the Fyn polypeptide with the CD2 complex, whereas stimulation with single anti-CD2 mAb had minimal effect. Using glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins, we found that CD2 bound to the Src homology (SH) 3 domain of Fyn. Interestingly, the CD2-Fyn association was negatively regulated by the Fyn SH2 domain; CD2 bound poorly to GST fusion proteins expressing both the SH2 and SH3 domains of Fyn. However, the inhibitory effect of the Fyn SH2 domain on binding of the Fyn SH3 domain to CD2 was relieved by peptides containing a phosphorylated YEEI sequence that bound directly to the Fyn SH2 domain. In addition, we found that the ability of the Fyn SH2 domain to precipitate tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, including the CD3zeta chain, was enhanced after T cell stimulation with mitogenic pairs of CD2 mAbs. Finally, overexpression of a mutated Fyn molecule, in which the ability of the Fyn SH2 domain to bind phosphotyrosine-containing proteins was abrogated, inhibited CD2-induced transcriptional activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), suggesting a functional involvement of the Fyn SH2 domain in CD2-induced T cell signaling. We thus propose that stimulation through the CD2 receptor leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins, including CD3zeta itself, which in turn bind to the Fyn-SH2 domain, allowing the direct association of the Fyn SH3 domain with CD2 and the initiation of downstream signaling events.

Impaired viability and profound block in thymocyte development in mice lacking the adaptor protein SLP-76

The adaptor protein SLP-76 is expressed in T lymphocytes and myeloid cells and is a substrate for ZAP-70 and Syk. We generated a SLP-76 null mutation in mice by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells to evaluate the role of SLP-76 in T cell development and activation. SLP-76-deficient mice exhibited subcutaneous and intraperitoneal hemorrhaging and impaired viability. Analysis of lymphoid cells revealed a profound block in thymic development with absence of double-positive CD4+8+ thymocytes and of peripheral T cells. This block could not be overcome by in vivo treatment with anti-CD3. V-D-J rearrangement of the TCRbeta locus was not obviously affected. B cell development was normal. These results indicate that SLP-76 collects all pre-TCR signals that drive the development and expansion of double-positive thymocytes.

FYB (FYN binding protein) serves as a binding partner for lymphoid protein and FYN kinase substrate SKAP55 and a SKAP55-related protein in T cells

TcRzeta/CD3 ligation initiates a signaling cascade involving CD4/CD8-p56(lck), p59(fyn), and ZAP-70, as well as lymphoid downstream proteins VAV, SLP-76, and FYB/SLAP. A current question concerns the nature of the downstream binding partner(s) of FYB in T cells. In this study, using a two-hybrid screen with FYB as bait, we have identified eight clones, four of which correspond to the recently published lymphoid protein SKAP55, and two which correspond to a related protein with some 44% homology to SKAP55 (termed SKAP55-related protein, SKAP55R). The SKAP55 clones showed only minor differences (two substitutions and one residue deletion) from SKAP55. SKAP55R has the same overall structure as SKAP55 except for the presence of a unique N terminus with a well-defined coiled-coil domain. Both SKAP55 and SKAP55R were found to bind FYB through their SH3 domains and to act as substrates for the FYN kinase in T cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed that FYB and SKAP55 colocalize in the perinuclear region of cells. SKAP55 also colocalizes with another FYB binding protein, SLP-76. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that FYB is part of an interactive matrix with SKAP55 and a SKAP55-related protein.

Uncoupling of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases from PLC-gamma1 in an SLP-76-deficient T cell

Activation of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) is essential for T cell receptor (TCR) responsiveness; however, the function of individual PTK substrates is often uncertain. A mutant T cell line was isolated that lacked expression of SLP-76 (SH2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kilodaltons), a hematopoietically expressed adaptor protein and PTK substrate. SLP-76 was not required for TCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of most proteins, but was required for optimal tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1), as well as Ras pathway activation. TCR-inducible gene expression was dependent on SLP-76. Thus, coupling of TCR-regulated PTKs to downstream signaling pathways requires SLP-76.

Requirement for the leukocyte-specific adapter protein SLP-76 for normal T cell development

The leukocyte-specific adapter molecule SLP-76 (Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kilodaltons) is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues after receptor ligation in several hematopoietically derived cell types. Mice made deficient for SLP-76 expression contained no peripheral T cells as a result of an early block in thymopoiesis. Macrophage and natural killer cell compartments were intact in SLP-76-deficient mice, despite SLP-76 expression in these lineages in wild-type mice. Thus, the SLP-76 adapter protein is required for normal thymocyte development and plays a crucial role in translating signals mediated by pre-T cell receptors into distal biochemical events.

BLNK: a central linker protein in B cell activation

Linker or adapter proteins provide mechanisms by which receptors can amplify and regulate downstream effector proteins. We describe here the identification of a novel B cell linker protein, termed BLNK, that interfaces the B cell receptor-associated Syk tyrosine kinase with PLCgamma, the Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor, and the Grb2 and Nck adapter proteins. Tyrosine phosphorylation of BLNK by Syk provides docking sites for these SH2-containing effector molecules that, in turn, permits the phosphorylation and/or activation of their respective signaling pathways. Hence, BLNK represents a central linker protein that bridges the B cell receptor-associated kinases with a multitude of signaling pathways and may regulate the biologic outcomes of B cell function and development.

Adaptor proteins in lymphocyte antigen-receptor signaling

Adaptor molecules, proteins that possess no intrinsic enzymatic function, but which mediate protein-protein interactions, have a critical role in integrating signal transduction pathways following engagement of cell-surface receptors. Several newly described adaptor molecules have been shown to serve important functions in the regulation of signaling events initiated by lymphocyte antigen receptors. Understanding how these adaptor proteins function to modulate signaling cascades will provide important insights into the complex biology of lymphocyte activation.

Molecular cloning of a T cell-specific adapter protein (TSAd) containing an Src homology (SH) 2 domain and putative SH3 and phosphotyrosine binding sites

Adapter proteins link catalytic signaling proteins to cell surface receptors or downstream effector proteins. In this paper, we present the cDNA sequence F2771, isolated from an activated CD8+ T cell cDNA library. The F2771 cDNA encodes a novel putative adapter protein. The predicted amino acid sequence includes an SH2 domain as well as putative SH3 and phosphotyrosine binding interaction motifs, but lacks any known catalytic domains. The expression of the gene is limited to tissues of the immune system and, in particular, activated T cells. The protein expressed by F2771 cDNA in transfected COS cells is localized in the cytoplasm. A polyclonal antiserum raised against an F2771-encoded peptide reacts with a tyrosine-phosphorylated 52-kDa protein expressed in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The gene is localized to chromosome 1q21, a region often found to be aberrant in lymphomas. The T cell-specific expression and the rapid induction of mRNA expression upon receptor binding, as well as the lack of catalytic domains in the presence of protein interaction domains, indicate that the F2771 gene encodes a novel T cell-specific adapter protein (TSAd) involved in the control of T cell activation.

Protein tyrosine kinases in thymocyte development

Much has been learned over the past few years about how protein tyrosine kinases mediate pre-TCR and mature alphabetaTCR function. The highlights include understanding the roles and the distinct effects of the Src and Syk families of protein tyrosine kinases in thymocyte development and function.