The protein product of the c-cbl protooncogene is the 120-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in Jurkat cells activated via the T cell antigen receptor

GRB2 dimerization mediated by SH2 domain-swapping is critical for T cell signaling and cytokine production

GRB2 is an adaptor protein required for facilitating cytoplasmic signaling complexes from a wide array of binding partners. GRB2 has been reported to exist in either a monomeric or dimeric state in crystal and solution. GRB2 dimers are formed by the exchange of protein segments between domains, otherwise known as "domain-swapping". Swapping has been described between SH2 and C-terminal SH3 domains in the full-length structure of GRB2 (SH2/C-SH3 domain-swapped dimer), as well as between α-helixes in isolated GRB2 SH2 domains (SH2/SH2 domain-swapped dimer). Interestingly, SH2/SH2 domain-swapping has not been observed within the full-length protein, nor have the functional influences of this novel oligomeric conformation been explored. We herein generated a model of full-length GRB2 dimer with an SH2/SH2 domain-swapped conformation supported by in-line SEC-MALS-SAXS analyses. This conformation is consistent with the previously reported truncated GRB2 SH2/SH2 domain-swapped dimer but different from the previously reported, full-length SH2/C-terminal SH3 (C-SH3) domain-swapped dimer. Our model is also validated by several novel full-length GRB2 mutants that favor either a monomeric or a dimeric state through mutations within the SH2 domain that abrogate or promote SH2/SH2 domain-swapping. GRB2 knockdown and re-expression of selected monomeric and dimeric mutants in a T cell lymphoma cell line led to notable defects in clustering of the adaptor protein LAT and IL-2 release in response to TCR stimulation. These results mirrored similarly-impaired IL-2 release in GRB2-deficient cells. These studies show that a novel dimeric GRB2 conformation with domain-swapping between SH2 domains and monomer/dimer transitions are critical for GRB2 to facilitate early signaling complexes in human T cells.

Elucidation of protein interactions necessary for the maintenance of the BCR-ABL signaling complex

Many patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in deep remission experience return of clinical disease after withdrawal of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This suggests signaling of inactive BCR-ABL, which allows the survival of cancer cells, and relapse. We show that TKI treatment inhibits catalytic activity of BCR-ABL, but does not dissolve BCR-ABL core signaling complex, consisting of CRKL, SHC1, GRB2, SOS1, cCBL, p85a-PI3K, STS1 and SHIP2. Peptide microarray and co-immunoprecipitation results demonstrate that CRKL binds to proline-rich regions located in C-terminal, intrinsically disordered region of BCR-ABL, that SHC1 requires pleckstrin homology, src homology and tyrosine kinase domains of BCR-ABL for binding, and that BCR-ABL sequence motif located in disordered region around phosphorylated tyrosine 177 mediates binding of three core complex members, i.e., GRB2, SOS1, and cCBL. Further, SHIP2 binds to the src homology and tyrosine kinase domains of BCR-ABL and its inositol phosphatase activity contributes to BCR-ABL-mediated phosphorylation of SHC1. Together, this study characterizes protein-protein interactions within the BCR-ABL core complex and determines the contribution of particular BCR-ABL domains to downstream signaling. Understanding the structure and dynamics of BCR-ABL interactome is critical for the development of drugs targeting integrity of the BCR-ABL core complex.

C-Cbl negatively regulates TRAF6-mediated NF-κB activation by promoting K48-linked polyubiquitination of TRAF6

Background

In its RING domain, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) has ubiquitin E3 ligase activity that facilitates the formation of lysine 63-linked polyubiquitin chains. This activity is required to activate nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and plays an important role in the IκB kinase (IKK) complex.

Methods

An in vitro ubiquitination assay was used to establish whether c-Cbl could promote TRAF6 ubiquitination. We assessed direct binding and performed fine mapping between c-Cbl and TRAF6 based on the results of an immunoprecipitation assay with cultured 293 T cells. The luciferase reporter assay was applied to establish if c-Cbl-mediated ubiquitination affected NF-κB activation after stimulus from various TRAF-mediated signals: tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). An in vivo ubiquitination assay was performed using endogenous immunoprecipitation of TRAF6 in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) and osteoclasts.

Results

Here, we report on a form of TRAF6 ubiquitination that is mediated by c-Cbl, leading to the formation of lysine 48-linked polyubiquitin chains. The NF-κB activity induced by RANKL and IL-1β treatment is inhibited when c-Cbl is overexpressed, while the NF-κB activity induced by TNFα treatment is not. c-Cbl inhibits NF-κB activity mediated by TRAF6, but not by TRAF2. These findings show that c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase activity is essential for TRAF6 ubiquitination and negative regulation of NF-κB activity. Fine mapping revealed that the proline-rich domain of c-Cbl is critical for interaction with TRAF6. Stimulation with RANKL or interferon-γ (IFN-γ) caused c-Cbl to bind to polyubiquitinated TRAF6.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the interaction of TRAF6 with c-Cbl causes lysine 48-linked polyubiquitination for both negative feedback regulation and signaling cross-talk between RANKL and IFN-γ.

Structural Determinants of the Gain-of-Function Phenotype of Human Leukemia-associated Mutant CBL Oncogene

Mutations of the tyrosine kinase-directed ubiquitin ligase CBL cause myeloid leukemias, but the molecular determinants of the dominant leukemogenic activity of mutant CBL oncogenes are unclear. Here, we first define a gain-of-function attribute of the most common leukemia-associated CBL mutant, Y371H, by demonstrating its ability to increase proliferation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) derived from CBL-null and CBL/CBL-B-null mice. Next, we express second-site point/deletion mutants of CBL-Y371H in CBL/CBL-B-null HSPCs or the cytokine-dependent human leukemic cell line TF-1 to show that individual or combined Tyr → Phe mutations of established phosphotyrosine residues (Tyr-700, Tyr-731, and Tyr-774) had little impact on the activity of the CBL-Y371H mutant in HSPCs, and the triple Tyr → Phe mutant was only modestly impaired in TF-1 cells. In contrast, intact tyrosine kinase-binding (TKB) domain and proline-rich region (PRR) were critical in both cell models. PRR deletion reduced the stem cell factor (SCF)-induced hyper-phosphorylation of the CBL-Y371H mutant and the c-KIT receptor and eliminated the sustained p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT induction by SCF. GST fusion protein pulldowns followed by phospho-specific antibody array analysis identified distinct CBL TKB domains or PRR-binding proteins that are phosphorylated in CBL-Y371H-expressing TF-1 cells. Our results support a model of mutant CBL gain-of-function in which mutant CBL proteins effectively compete with the remaining wild type CBL-B and juxtapose TKB domain-associated PTKs with PRR-associated signaling proteins to hyper-activate signaling downstream of hematopoietic growth factor receptors. Elucidation of mutant CBL domains required for leukemogenesis should facilitate targeted therapy approaches for patients with mutant CBL-driven leukemias.

A mutation within the SH2 domain of slp-76 regulates the tissue distribution and cytokine production of iNKT cells in mice

TCR ligation is critical for the selection, activation, and integrin expression of T lymphocytes. Here, we explored the role of the TCR adaptor protein slp-76 on iNKT-cell biology. Compared to B6 controls, slp-76(ace/ace) mice carrying a missense mutation (Thr428Ile) within the SH2-domain of slp-76 showed an increase in iNKT cells in the thymus and lymph nodes, but a decrease in iNKT cells in spleens and livers, along with reduced ADAP expression and cytokine response. A comparable reduction in iNKT cells was observed in the livers and spleens of ADAP-deficient mice. Like ADAP(-/-) iNKT cells, slp-76(ace/ace) iNKT cells were characterized by enhanced CD11b expression, correlating with an impaired induction of the TCR immediate-early gene Nur77 and a decreased adhesion to ICAM-1. Furthermore, CD11b-intrinsic effects inhibited cytokine release, concanavalin A-mediated inflammation, and iNKT-cell accumulation in the liver. Unlike B6 and ADAP(-/-) mice, the expression of the transcription factors Id3 and PLZF was reduced, whereas NP-1-expression was enhanced in slp-76(ace/ace) mice. Blockade of NP-1 decreased the recovery of iNKT cells from peripheral lymph nodes, identifying NP-1 as an iNKT-cell-specific adhesion factor. Thus, slp-76 contributes to the regulation of the tissue distribution, PLZF, and cytokine expression of iNKT cells via ADAP-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Liposomal delivery of nucleic acid-based anticancer therapeutics: BP-100-1.01

INTRODUCTION

Antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, anti-microRNA are designed to selectively bind to target mRNAs, and silence disease-causing or -associated proteins. The clinical development of nucleic acid drugs has been limited by their poor bioavailability.

AREAS COVERED

This review article examines the strategies that have been utilized to improve the bioavailability of nucleic acids. The chemical modifications made to nucleic acids that have improved their resistance against nuclease degradation are briefly discussed. The design of cationic and neutral lipid nanoparticles that enable the systemic delivery of nucleic acids in vivo is reviewed, and the proof-of-concept evidence that intravenous administration of nucleic acids incorporated into lipid nanoparticles leads to decreased expression of target genes in humans. Preclinical results of the neutral BP-100-1.01 nanoparticle are highlighted.

EXPERT OPINION

To further improve the clinical potential of nucleic acid cancer drugs, we predict research on the next generation of lipid nanoparticles will focus on: i) enhancing nucleic acid delivery to poorly vascularized tumors, as well as tumors behind the blood-brain barrier; and ii) improving the accessibility of nucleic acids to the cytoplasm by enhancing endosomal escape of nucleic acids and/or reducing exocytosis of nucleic acids to the external milieu.

Protein tyrosine kinase regulation by ubiquitination: critical roles of Cbl-family ubiquitin ligases

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) coordinate a broad spectrum of cellular responses to extracellular stimuli and cell-cell interactions during development, tissue homeostasis, and responses to environmental challenges. Thus, an understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that ensure physiological PTK function and potential aberrations of these regulatory processes during diseases such as cancer are of broad interest in biology and medicine. Aside from the expected role of phospho-tyrosine phosphatases, recent studies have revealed a critical role of covalent modification of activated PTKs with ubiquitin as a critical mechanism of their negative regulation. Members of the Cbl protein family (Cbl, Cbl-b and Cbl-c in mammals) have emerged as dominant "activated PTK-selective" ubiquitin ligases. Structural, biochemical and cell biological studies have established that Cbl protein-dependent ubiquitination targets activated PTKs for degradation either by facilitating their endocytic sorting into lysosomes or by promoting their proteasomal degradation. This mechanism also targets PTK signaling intermediates that become associated with Cbl proteins in a PTK activation-dependent manner. Cellular and animal studies have established that the relatively broadly expressed mammalian Cbl family members Cbl and Cbl-b play key physiological roles, including their critical functions to prevent the transition of normal immune responses into autoimmune disease and as tumor suppressors; the latter function has received validation from human studies linking mutations in Cbl to human leukemia. These newer insights together with embryonic lethality seen in mice with a combined deletion of Cbl and Cbl-b genes suggest an unappreciated role of the Cbl family proteins, and by implication the ubiquitin-dependent control of activated PTKs, in stem/progenitor cell maintenance. Future studies of existing and emerging animal models and their various cell lineages should help test the broader implications of the evolutionarily-conserved Cbl family protein-mediated, ubiquitin-dependent, negative regulation of activated PTKs in physiology and disease.

CBL mutation-related patterns of phosphorylation and sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Recurrent homozygous CBL-inactivating mutations in myeloid malignancies decrease ubiquitin ligase activity that inactivates SRC family kinases (SFK) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). However, the most important SFK and RTK affected by these mutations, and hence, the most important therapeutic targets, have not been clearly characterized. We compared SFK and RTK pathway activity and inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines containing homozygous R420Q mutation (GDM-1), heterozygous deletion (MOLM13) and wild-type (WT) CBL (THP1, U937). As expected with CBL loss, GDM-1 displayed high KIT expression and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) hypersensitivity. Ectopic expression of WT CBL decreased GDM-1 proliferation but not cell lines with WT CBL. GDM-1, but not the other cell lines, was highly sensitive to growth inhibition by dasatinib (dual SFK and RTK inhibitor, LD50 50 nM); there was less or no selective inhibition of GDM-1 growth by sunitinib (RTK inhibitor), imatinib (ABL, KIT inhibitor), or PP2 (SFK inhibitor). Phosphoprotein analysis identified phosphorylation targets uniquely inhibited by dasatinib treatment of GDM-1, including a number of proteins in the KIT and GM-CSF receptor pathways (for example, KIT Tyr721, STAT3 Tyr705). In conclusion, the promiscuous effects of CBL loss on SFK and RTK signaling appear to be best targeted by dual SFK and RTK inhibition.

CD43 regulates the threshold for T cell activation by targeting Cbl functions

T cell (TC) activation requires the coordinated signaling of the T cell receptor (TCR) and coreceptor molecules, allowing TCs to respond to lower degrees of TCR occupancy. Coreceptor molecules set the threshold for TC activation by controlling different regulatory signaling loops. The Cbl family members prevent undesired activation of T cells by regulating TCR signals. In this report, we show that TC prestimulation by the CD43 coreceptor molecule before TCR engagement inhibits TCR-dependent c-Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation, c-Cbl interaction with the adapter molecule Crk-L and promotes Cbl-b degradation in a PKCθ-dependent manner. Consequently, the prolonged tyrosine phosphorylation and delayed degradation of ZAP-70 and of the ζ chain lead to enhanced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and robust TC response. These data indicates that CD43-mediated signals lower the threshold for TC activation by restricting the c-Cbl and Cbl-b inhibitory effects on TCR signaling. In addition to the strength and duration of intracellular signals, our data underscore temporality with which certain molecules are engaged as yet another mechanism to fine tune TC signal quality, and ultimately immune function.

The B-lymphoid Grb2 interaction code

The growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is a ubiquitously expressed and evolutionary conserved adapter protein possessing a plethora of described interaction partners for the regulation of signal transduction. In B lymphocytes, the Grb2-mediated scaffolding function controls the assembly and subcellular targeting of activating as well as inhibitory signalosomes in response to ligation of the antigen receptor. Also, integration of simultaneous signals from B-cell coreceptors that amplify or attenuate antigen receptor signal output relies on Grb2. Hence, Grb2 is an essential signal integrator. The key question remains, however, of how pathway specificity can be maintained during signal homeostasis critically required for the balance between immune cell activation and tolerance induction. Here, we summarize the molecular network of Grb2 in B cells and introduce a proteomic approach to elucidate the interactome of Grb2 in vivo.

The N terminus of Cbl-c regulates ubiquitin ligase activity by modulating affinity for the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme

Cbl proteins are ubiquitin ligases (E3s) that play a significant role in regulating tyrosine kinase signaling. There are three mammalian family members: Cbl, Cbl-b, and Cbl-c. All have a highly conserved N-terminal tyrosine kinase binding domain, a catalytic RING finger domain, and a C-terminal proline-rich domain that mediates interactions with Src homology 3 (SH3) containing proteins. Although both Cbl and Cbl-b have been studied widely, little is known about Cbl-c. Published reports have demonstrated that the N terminus of Cbl and Cbl-b have an inhibitory effect on their respective E3 activity. However, the mechanism for this inhibition is still unknown. In this study we demonstrate that the N terminus of Cbl-c, like that of Cbl and Cbl-b, inhibits the E3 activity of Cbl-c. Furthermore, we map the region responsible for the inhibition to the EF-hand and SH2 domains. Phosphorylation of a critical tyrosine (Tyr-341) in the linker region of Cbl-c by Src or a phosphomimetic mutation of this tyrosine (Y341E) is sufficient to increase the E3 activity of Cbl-c. We also demonstrate for the first time that phosphorylation of Tyr-341 or the Y341E mutation leads to a decrease in affinity for the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), UbcH5b. The decreased affinity of the Y341E mutant Cbl-c for UbcH5b results in a more rapid turnover of bound UbcH5b coincident with the increased E3 activity. These data suggest that the N terminus of Cbl-c contributes to the binding to the E2 and that phosphorylation of Tyr-341 leads to a decrease in affinity and an increase in the E3 activity of Cbl-c.

Cbl-b is a novel physiologic regulator of glycoprotein VI-dependent platelet activation

Cbl-b, a member of the Cbl family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, plays an important role in the activation of lymphocytes. However, its function in platelets remains unknown. We show that Cbl-b is expressed in human platelets along with c-Cbl, but in contrast to c-Cbl, it is not tyrosine-phosphorylated upon glycoprotein VI (GPVI) stimulation. Cbl-b, unlike c-Cbl, is not required for Syk ubiquitylation downstream of GPVI activation. Phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2) and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) are constituently associated with Cbl-b. Cbl-b-deficient (Cbl-b(-/-)) platelets display an inhibition in the concentration-response curve for GPVI-specific agonist-induced aggregation, secretion, and Ca(2+) mobilization. A parallel inhibition is found for activation of PLCgamma2 and BTK. However, Syk activation is not affected by the absence of Cbl-b, indicating that Cbl-b acts downstream of Syk but upstream of BTK and PLCgamma2. When Cbl-b(-/-) mice were tested in the ferric chloride thrombosis model, occlusion time was increased and clot stability was reduced compared with wild type controls. These data indicate that Cbl-b plays a positive modulatory role in GPVI-dependent platelet signaling, which translates to an important regulatory role in hemostasis and thrombosis in vivo.

Roles of E3 ubiquitin ligases in cell adhesion and migration

Recent studies have demonstrated that a number of E3 ubiquitin ligases, including Cbl, Smurf1, Smurf2, HDM2, BCA2, SCF(beta-TRCP) and XRNF185, play important roles in cell adhesion and migration. Cbl negatively regulates cell adhesion via alpha integrin and Rap1 and inhibits actin polymerization by ubiquitinating mDab1 and WAVE2. Smurf1 regulates cell migration through ubiquitination of RhoA, talin head domain and hPEM2, while Smurf2 ubiquitinates Smurf1, TGFbeta type I receptor and RaplB to modulate cell migration and adhesion. HDM2 negatively regulates cell migration by targeting NFAT (a transcription factor) for ubiquitination and degradation, while SCF(beta-TRCP) ubiquitinates Snail (a transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin) to inhibit cell migration. TRIM32 promotes cell migration through ubiquitination of Abl interactor 2 (Abi2), a tumor suppressor. RNF5 and XRNF185 modulate cell migration by ubiquitinating paxillin. Thus, these E3 ubiquitin ligases regulate cell adhesion and (or) migration through ubiquitination of their specific substrates.

Ubiquitin Ligases in Malignant Lymphoma

The highly controlled degradation of proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway represents a key mechanism for cell regulation and homeostasis. Ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, carried out in large part by the E3 ubiquitin ligases, is a critical mode of post-translational modification that is important in regulation of cell cycle progression, signal transduction, gene transcription, antigen receptor signaling, immune response and cell differentiation. Recent studies demonstrate that increasing numbers of proteins with ubiquitin ligase activity are being characterized. Identification and characterization of their substrates indicate that they regulate the turnover of key cell cycle proteins (p27Kip1, p21Cip1, p57Kip2, cyclin E), tumor suppressor proteins (p53, RB), signaling kinases (Src, Zap70, PI-3 kinase), apoptosis regulators (Bcl-2, Bax, Bik) and transcription factors (Myc, NF-kappaB, E1F1), all of which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of malignant lymphoma. Studies to determine the functional role of ubiquitin ligases in the pathogenesis of malignant lymphoma represent potential areas of investigation.

Ligand-induced EpoR internalization is mediated by JAK2 and p85 and is impaired by mutations responsible for primary familial and congenital polycythemia

Epo-induced endocytosis of EpoR plays important roles in the down-regulation of EpoR signaling and is the primary means that regulates circulating Epo concentrations. Here we show that cell-surface EpoR is internalized via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Both JAK2 kinase activity and EpoR cytoplasmic tyrosines are important for ligand-dependent EpoR internalization. Phosphorylated Y429, Y431, and Y479 in the EpoR cytoplasmic domain bind p85 subunit of PI3 kinase on Epo stimulation and individually are sufficient to mediate Epo-dependent EpoR internalization. Knockdown of p85alpha and p85beta or expression of their dominant-negative forms, but not inhibition of PI3 kinase activity, dramatically impaired EpoR internalization, indicating that p85alpha and p85beta may recruit proteins in the endocytic machinery on Epo stimulation. Furthermore, mutated EpoRs from primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP) patients lacking the 3 important tyrosines do not bind p85 or internalize on stimulation. Addition of residues encompassing Y429 and Y431 to these truncated receptors restored p85beta binding and Epo sensitivity. Our results identify a novel PI3 kinase activity-independent function of p85 in EpoR internalization and support a model that defects of internalization in truncated EpoRs from PFCP patients contribute to Epo hypersensitivity and prolonged signaling.

Beta2-integrin-mediated adhesion and intracellular Ca2+ release in human eosinophils

Human eosinophils spontaneously adhere to various substrates in the absence of exogenously added activators. In the present study a method was developed for characterizing eosinophil adhesion by measuring changes in impedance. Impedance measurements were performed in HCO(3)-buffered HybriCare medium maintained in a humidified 5% CO(2) incubator at 37 degrees C. Impedance increased by more than 1 kOmega within minutes after eosinophils made contact with the substrate, reaching a peak within 20 min. Blocking mobilization of intracellular [Ca(2+)] that precedes adhesion with BAPTA-AM (10 microM) completely inhibited the rise in impedance as well as the changes in cell shape typically observed in adherent cells. However, lowering the extracellular [Ca(2+)] with 2.5 mM EGTA did not inhibit the increase in impedance. Pretreatment with anti-CD18 antibody to block substrate interactions with beta(2)-integrins, or jasplakinolide (2 microM) to block actin reorganization, abolished the increase in impedance and adherent morphology of the cells. Exposure of eosinophils to the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 (5 microM) or treatment with protein kinase C zeta pseudosubstrate to competitively inhibit activity of the enzyme significantly reduced the increase in impedance and inhibited the cell spreading associated with adhesion. These results demonstrate a novel method for measuring eosinophil adhesion and showed that, following formation of a tethered attachment, a rapid increase in intracellular [Ca(2+)] precedes the cytoskeletal rearrangements required for cell shape changes and plasma membrane-substrate interactions associated with adhesion.

c-Cbl interacts with CD38 and promotes retinoic acid-induced differentiation and G0 arrest of human myeloblastic leukemia cells

Retinoic acid (RA) is known to regulate cell growth and differentiation. In HL-60 human myeloblastic leukemia cells, it causes mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling leading to myeloid differentiation and G(0) cell cycle arrest. This communication reports that expression of the Cbl adaptor caused enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 activation and promoted RA-induced differentiation and G(0)-arrest. Stable transfectants ectopically expressing c-Cbl underwent myeloid differentiation faster than wild-type (wt) cells when treated with RA. In contrast, c-Cbl knockdown stable transfectants differentiated slower than wt cells when treated with RA. Cells ectopically expressing c-Cbl had enhanced CD38 expression when treated with RA, and cells ectopically expressing CD38 had enhanced c-Cbl expression, even without with RA, suggesting an interaction between c-Cbl and CD38. Fluorescence resource energy transfer and coimmunoprecipitation showed that c-Cbl and CD38 bind each other. RA causes the gradual down-regulation and eventual loss of c-Cbl expression, resulting in loss of the Cbl-CD38 interaction, suggesting that c-Cbl plays a relatively early role in promoting RA-induced differentiation. RA-induced differentiation can thus be propelled by c-Cbl and by CD38, both of which bind together, enhance the expression of each other, and cause MAPK signaling. There thus seems to be a cooperative role for c-Cbl and CD38, reflected in their direct binding, in propulsion of RA-induced differentiation.

Reduced Cbl phosphorylation and degradation of the zeta-chain of the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex in T cells with low Lck levels

T cells with short interfering RNA-mediated Lck-knockdown (kd) display paradoxical hyper-responsiveness upon TCR ligation. We have previously reported a possible mechanism for T-cell activation in cells with low levels of Lck depending on Grb2-SOS1 recruitment to the zeta-chain of TCR/CD3 (Methi et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 2007, 37: 2539-2548). Here, we show that short interfering RNA-mediated targeting of Lck caused a dramatic reduction in c-Cbl phosphorylation and a general reduction in protein ubiquitination after TCR stimulation. Specifically, this resulted in reduced ubiquitination of the zeta-chain, yet internalization of TCR/CD3 appeared to be normal after receptor engagement. However, zeta-chain levels were elevated in Lck-kd cells, and confocal microscopy revealed reduced colocalization of CD3-containing vesicles with endosomal and lysosomal compartments. We hypothesize that prolonged stability of internalized T-cell receptor complex may result in extended signaling in T cells with low Lck levels.

Nedd4 augments the adaptive immune response by promoting ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Cbl-b in activated T cells

Nedd4 and Itch are E3 ubiquitin ligases that ubiquitinate similar targets in vitro and thus are thought to function similarly. T cells lacking Itch show spontaneous activation and T helper type 2 polarization. To test whether loss of Nedd4 affects T cells in the same way, we generated Nedd4(+/+) and Nedd4(-/-) fetal liver chimeras. Nedd4(-/-) T cells developed normally but proliferated less, produced less interleukin 2 and provided inadequate help to B cells. Nedd4(-/-) T cells contained more of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b, and Nedd4 was required for polyubiquitination of Cbl-b induced by CD28 costimulation. Our data demonstrate that Nedd4 promotes the conversion of naive T cells into activated T cells. We propose that Nedd4 and Itch ubiquitinate distinct target proteins in vivo.

The WAVE2 complex regulates T cell receptor signaling to integrins via Abl- and CrkL-C3G-mediated activation of Rap1

WAVE2 regulates T cell receptor (TCR)–stimulated actin cytoskeletal dynamics leading to both integrin clustering and affinity maturation. Although WAVE2 mediates integrin affinity maturation by recruiting vinculin and talin to the immunological synapse in an Arp2/3-dependent manner, the mechanism by which it regulates integrin clustering is unclear. We show that the Abl tyrosine kinase associates with the WAVE2 complex and TCR ligation induces WAVE2-dependent membrane recruitment of Abl. Furthermore, we show that WAVE2 regulates TCR-mediated activation of the integrin regulatory guanosine triphosphatase Rap1 via the recruitment and activation of the CrkL–C3G exchange complex. Moreover, we demonstrate that although Abl does not regulate the recruitment of CrkL–C3G into the membrane, it does affect the tyrosine phosphorylation of C3G, which is required for its guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity toward Rap1. This signaling node regulates not only TCR-stimulated integrin clustering but also affinity maturation. These findings identify a previously unknown mechanism by which the WAVE2 complex regulates TCR signaling to Rap1 and integrin activation.

Key molecules involved in receptor-mediated lymphocyte activation

This unit, along with Unit 11.9B, provides a summary of our current knowledge about various signaling pathways critical to the function of immune cells. Here, our understanding of T cell receptor (TCR)- and B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated signaling is summarized. A schematic representation of immunologically relevant cytokine receptors and the Janus Family Kinases (JAKs) that is activated through these receptors is provided, along with details about molecules involved in interleukin 2 mediated signal transduction.

Regulation of peripheral T cell tolerance by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b

The family of the Casitas B-lineage Lymphoma (Cbl) proteins, c-Cbl, Cbl-b, and Cbl-3, function as E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular adaptors. In particular, Cbl-b acts as a gatekeeper in T cell activation that controls activation thresholds and the requirement for co-stimulation. Loss of Cbl-b expression renders animals susceptible to antigen-triggered autoimmunity suggesting that Cbl-b is a key autoimmunity gene. In addition, Cbl-b plays a critical role in T cell anergy and escape from regulatory T cells (Treg) suppression. Modulation of Cbl-b might provide us with a unique opportunity for future immune treatment of human disorders such as autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, or cancer.

Specific Grb2-mediated interactions regulate clathrin-dependent endocytosis of the cMet-tyrosine kinase

Lysosomal degradation of the receptor-tyrosine kinase cMet requires receptor ubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl followed by clathrin-dependent internalization. A role for Cbl as an adaptor for cMet internalization has been previously reported. However, the requirement for Cbl ubiquitin ligase activity in this process and its mode of recruitment to cMet has yet to be determined. Cbl can directly bind cMet at phosphotyrosine 1003 or indirectly via Grb2 to phosphotyrosine 1356 in the multisubstrate binding domain of cMet. The direct binding of Cbl with cMet is critical for receptor degradation and not receptor internalization. Here we show a strict requirement for Grb2 and the ubiquitin ligase activity of Cbl for cMet endocytosis. Receptor internalization was impaired by small interfering RNA depletion of Grb2, overexpression of dominant negative Grb2 mutants, and point mutations in the cMet multisubstrate docking site that inhibits the direct association of Grb2 with cMet. The requirement for Grb2 was specific and did not involve the multiadaptor Gab1. cMet internalization was impaired in cells expressing an ubiquitin ligase-deficient Cbl mutant or conjugation-deficient ubiquitin but was unaffected in cells expressing a Cbl mutant that is unable to bind cMet directly. Expression of a Cbl-Grb2 chimera rescued impaired cMet endocytosis in cells depleted of endogenous Grb2. These results indicate that the ubiquitin ligase activity of Cbl is critical for clathrin-dependent cMet internalization and suggest a role for Grb2 as an intermediary linking Cbl ubiquitin ligase activity to this process.

Src-like adaptor protein (SLAP) regulates B cell receptor levels in a c-Cbl-dependent manner

Src-like adaptor protein (SLAP) and c-Cbl recently have been shown to cooperate in regulating T cell receptor (TCR) levels in developing T cells. SLAP also is expressed in developing B cells, and its deficiency leads to alterations in B cell receptor (BCR) levels and B cell development. Hence, we hypothesized that SLAP and c-Cbl may cooperate during B cell development to regulate BCR levels. In mice deficient in both SLAP and c-Cbl, we found that B cell development is altered, suggesting that they function through intersecting pathways. To study the mechanism by which SLAP and c-Cbl alter BCR levels, we coexpressed them in a mature mouse B cell line (Bal-17). First we determined that SLAP associates with proximal components of the BCR complex after stimulation and internalization. Coexpression of SLAP and c-Cbl in Bal-17 led to decreased surface and total BCR levels. This decrease in BCR levels depended on intact Src homology 2 (SH2) and C-terminal domains of SLAP. In addition, a mutation in the SH2 domain of SLAP blocked its colocalization with c-Cbl and the BCR complex, whereas deletion of the C terminus did not affect its localization. Last, coexpression of SLAP and c-Cbl altered BCR complex recycling. This alteration in BCR complex recycling depended on enzymatically active c-Cbl and Src family kinases, as well as the intact SH2 and C-terminal domains of SLAP. These data suggest that SLAP has a conserved function in B and T cells by adapting c-Cbl to the antigen-receptor complex and targeting it for degradation.

The Cbl family proteins: ring leaders in regulation of cell signaling

The proto-oncogenic protein c-Cbl was discovered as the cellular form of v-Cbl, a retroviral transforming protein. This was followed over the years by important discoveries, which identified c-Cbl and other Cbl-family proteins as key players in several signaling pathways. c-Cbl has donned the role of a multivalent adaptor protein, capable of interacting with a plethora of proteins, and has been shown to positively influence certain biological processes. The identity of c-Cbl as an E3 ubiquitin ligase unveiled the existence of an important negative regulatory pathway involved in maintaining homeostasis in protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) signaling. Recent years have also seen the emergence of novel regulators of Cbl, which have provided further insights into the complexity of Cbl-influenced pathways. This review will endeavor to provide a summary of current studies focused on the effects of Cbl proteins on various biological processes and the mechanism of these effects. The major sections of the review are as follows: Structure and genomic organization of Cbl proteins; Phosphorylation of Cbl; Interactions of Cbl; Localization of Cbl; Mechanism of effects of Cbl: (a) Ubiquitylation-dependent events: This section elucidates the mechanism of Cbl-mediated downregulation of EGFR and details the PTK and non-PTKs targeted by Cbl. In addition, it addresses the functional requirements for E3 Ubiquitin ligase activity of Cbl and negative regulation of Cbl-mediated downregulation of PTKs, (b) Adaptor functions: This section discusses the mechanisms of adaptor functions of Cbl in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, insulin signaling, regulation of Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1), PI-3' kinase signaling, and regulation of Rho-family GTPases and cytoskeleton; Biological functions: This section gives an account of the diverse biological functions of Cbl and includes the role of Cbl in transformation, T-cell signaling and thymus development, B-cell signaling, mast-cell degranulation, macrophage functions, bone development, neurite growth, platelet activation, muscle degeneration, and bacterial invasion; Conclusions and perspectives.

Lck SH3 domain function is required for T-cell receptor signals regulating thymocyte development

Thymocyte development is shaped by signals from the T-cell antigen receptor. The strength of receptor signaling determines developmental progression as well as deletion of self-reactive T cells. Receptor stimulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway plays an important regulatory role during thymocyte development. However, it is unclear how differences in receptor signaling are translated into distinctive activation of the ERK pathway. We have investigated the potential role of the Lck tyrosine kinase in regulating intracellular signaling during thymocyte development. While Lck is known to be critical for initial T-cell receptor signaling events, it may have an independent role in regulating intracellular signaling through the function of its SH3 domain. To determine whether such a regulatory mechanism functions during thymocyte development, we generated mice in which the normal lck allele is replaced with an lck SH3 domain mutant. Analysis of these mice revealed that both early thymocyte development and maturation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lineages is impaired. Investigation of thymocyte responses to antigen receptor stimulation showed a significant reduction in proliferation and ERK pathway activation, although initial signaling events were intact. These findings indicate that Lck SH3 domain function may provide a means to independently couple receptor signaling to regulation of the ERK pathway during thymocyte development.

B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator-Mediated Signal Transduction Provides a Potent Inhibitory Signal to Primary Human CD4 T Cells That Can Be Initiated by Multiple Phosphotyrosine Motifs

The B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is a recently identified member of the CD28 family of cell receptors. Initial reports demonstrated that mice deficient in BTLA expression were more susceptible to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, indicating that BTLA was likely to function as a negative regulator of T cell activation. However, cross-linking of BTLA only resulted in a 2-fold reduction of IL-2 production, questioning the potency with which BTLA engagement blocks T cell activation. We established a model in which BTLA signaling could be studied in primary human CD4 T cells. We observed that cross-linking of a chimeric receptor consisting of the murine CD28 extracellular domain and human BTLA cytoplasmic tail potently inhibits IL-2 production and completely suppresses T cell expansion. Mutation of any BTLA tyrosine motifs had no effect on the ability of BTLA to block T cell activation. Only mutation of all four tyrosines rendered the BTLA cytoplasmic tail nonfunctional. We performed structure-function studies to determine which factors recruited to the BTLA cytoplasmic tail correlated with BTLA function. Using pervanadate as a means to phosphorylate the BTLA cytoplasmic tail, we observed both Src homology protein (SHP)-1 and SHP-2 recruitment. However, upon receptor engagement, we observed only SHP-1 recruitment, and mutations that abrogated SHP-1 recruitment did not impair BTLA function. These studies question whether SHP-1 or SHP-2 have any role in BTLA function and caution against the use of pervanadate as means to initiate signal transduction cascades in primary cells.

c-Cbl and Cbl-b ubiquitin ligases: substrate diversity and the negative regulation of signalling responses

The activation of signalling pathways by ligand engagement with transmembrane receptors is responsible for determining many aspects of cellular function and fate. While these outcomes are initially determined by the nature of the ligand and its receptor, it is also essential that intracellular enzymes, adaptor proteins and transcription factors are correctly assembled to convey the intended response. In recent years, it has become evident that proteins that regulate the amplitude and duration of these signalling responses are also critical in determining the function and fate of cells. Of these, the Cbl family of E3 ubiquitin ligases and adaptor proteins has emerged as key negative regulators of signals from many types of cell-surface receptors. The array of receptors and downstream signalling proteins that are regulated by Cbl proteins is diverse; however, in most cases, the receptors have a common link in that they either possess a tyrosine kinase domain or they form associations with cytoplasmic PTKs (protein tyrosine kinases). Thus Cbl proteins become involved in signalling responses at a time when PTKs are first activated and therefore provide an initial line of defence to ensure that signalling responses proceed at the desired intensity and duration.

The role(s) of Src kinase and Cbl proteins in the regulation of osteoclast differentiation and function

The osteoclast resorbs mineralized bone during bone development, homeostasis, and repair. The deletion of the gene encoding the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Src produces an osteopetrotic skeletal phenotype that is the consequence of the inability of the mature osteoclast to efficiently resorb bone. Src-/- osteoclasts exhibit reduced motility and abnormal organization of the apical secretory domain (the ruffled border) and attachment-related cytoskeletal elements that are necessary for bone resorption. A key function of Src in osteoclasts is to promote the rapid assembly and disassembly of the podosomes, the specialized integrin-based attachment structures of osteoclasts and other highly motile cells. Once recruited to the activated integrins, especially alphavbeta3), by the adhesion tyrosine kinase Pyk2, Src binds and phosphorylates Cbl and Cbl-b, homologous multisite adapter proteins with ubiquitin ligase activity. The Cbl proteins in turn recruit and activate additional signaling effectors, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and dynamin, which play key roles in the development of cell polarity and the regulation of cell attachment and motility. In addition, Src and the Cbl proteins contribute to signaling cascades that are activated by several important receptors, including receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB and the macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, and also downregulate the signaling from many of these receptors.

Src-Like Adaptor Protein Regulates B Cell Development and Function

The avidity of BCRs and TCRs influences signal strength during processes of lymphocyte development. Avidity is determined by both the intrinsic affinity for Ag and surface levels of the Ag receptor. The Src-like adaptor protein (SLAP) is a regulator of TCR levels on thymocytes, and its deficiency alters thymocyte development. We hypothesized that SLAP, which is expressed in B cells, also is important in regulating BCR levels, signal strength, and B cell development. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the B cell compartment in SLAP-deficient mice. We found increased splenic B cell numbers and decreased surface IgM levels on mature, splenic B cells deficient in SLAP. Immature bone marrow and splenic B cells from BCR-transgenic, SLAP-deficient mice were found to express higher surface levels of IgM. In contrast, mature splenic B cells from BCR-transgenic mice expressed decreased levels of surface BCR associated with decreased calcium flux and activation-induced markers, compared with controls. These data suggest that SLAP regulates BCR levels and signal strength during lymphocyte development.

Src-like adaptor protein regulates TCR expression on thymocytes by linking the ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl to the TCR complex

The adaptor molecule SLAP and E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl each regulate expression of T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 on thymocytes. Here we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that both molecules function in the same pathway. TCR-CD3 expression was similar in the absence of SLAP and/or c-Cbl. SLAP and c-Cbl were found to interact, and their expression together downregulated CD3epsilon. This required multiple domains in SLAP and the ring finger of c-Cbl. Furthermore, expression of SLAP and c-Cbl together induced TCRzeta ubiquitination and degradation, preventing the accumulation of fully assembled recycling TCR complexes. These studies indicate that SLAP links the E3 ligase activity of c-Cbl to the TCR, allowing for stage-specific regulation of TCR expression.

Nef enhances c-Cbl phosphorylation in HIV-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes

The multifunctional HIV-1 protein Nef possesses several motifs that interact with signaling molecules in infected T cells. In order to determine whether Nef influences T cell activation, cells were infected with Nef-positive and Nef-negative clones of HIV. CD28 expression and changes in tyrosine phosphorylation were monitored. We observed no Nef-dependent changes in CD28 expression or function. However, infection with Nef-positive virus led to changes in tyrosine phosphorylation. This Nef-induced phosphorylation was observed in unstimulated cells, and c-Cbl was identified as one of the proteins whose phosphorylation was upregulated by Nef. Furthermore, Lck is required for Nef-mediated c-Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation. These results suggest that Nef modifies T cell signaling in the absence of T cell receptor engagement and co-stimulation.

c-Cbl regulates migration of v-Abl-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts via Rac1

Cellular events like cell adhesion and migration involve complex rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. We have previously shown that the multidomain adaptor protein c-Cbl facilitates actin cytoskeletal reorganizations that result in the adhesion of v-Abl-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. In this report, we demonstrate that c-Cbl also enhances migration of v-Abl-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This effect of c-Cbl depends on its tyrosine phosphorylation, specifically on phosphorylation of its Tyr-731, which is required for binding of PI-3' kinase to c-Cbl. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the effect of c-Cbl on migration of v-Abl-transformed fibroblasts is mediated by active PI-3' kinase and the small GTPase Rac1. Our results also indicate that ubiquitin ligase activity of c-Cbl is required, while spatial localization of c-Cbl to the pseudopodia is not required for the observed effects of c-Cbl on cell migration.

The SH2 domain: versatile signaling module and pharmaceutical target

The Src homology 2 (SH2) domain is the most prevalent protein binding module that recognizes phosphotyrosine. This approximately 100-amino-acid domain is highly conserved structurally despite being found in a wide variety proteins. Depending on the nature of neighboring protein module(s), such as catalytic domains and other protein binding domains, SH2-containing proteins play many different roles in cellular protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) signaling pathways. Accumulating evidence indicates SH2 domains are highly versatile and exhibit considerable flexibility in how they bind to their ligands. To illustrate this functional versatility, we present three specific examples: the SAP, Cbl and SOCS families of SH2-containing proteins, which play key roles in immune responses, termination of PTK signaling, and cytokine responses. In addition, we highlight current progress in the development of SH2 domain inhibitors designed to antagonize or modulate PTK signaling in human disease. Inhibitors of the Grb2 and Src SH2 domains have been extensively studied, with the aim of targeting the Ras pathway and osteoclastic bone resorption, respectively. Despite formidable difficulties in drug design due to the lability and poor cell permeability of negatively charged phosphorylated SH2 ligands, a variety of structure-based strategies have been used to reduce the size, charge and peptide character of such ligands, leading to the development of high-affinity lead compounds with potent cellular activities. These studies have also led to new insights into molecular recognition by the SH2 domain.

Inactivation of c-Cbl or Cbl-b differentially affects signaling from the high affinity IgE receptor

The Cbl family of proteins negatively regulate signaling from tyrosine kinase-coupled receptors. Among the three members of this family, only c-Cbl and Cbl-b are expressed in hemopoietic cells. To examine the role of c-Cbl and Cbl-b in Fc epsilon RI signaling, mast cell cultures from wild-type, c-Cbl(-/-), and Cbl-b(-/-) mice were generated. Cell growth rates and cell surface expression of Fc epsilon RI were similar in the different cell populations. Compared with control cells, Cbl-b inactivation resulted in increases in Fc epsilon RI-induced Ca(2+) response and histamine release. Fc epsilon RI-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of total cellular proteins, Syk, and phospholipase C-gamma was also enhanced by Cbl-b deficiency, whereas receptor-initiated phosphorylation of Vav, JNK, and p38 kinases was not changed in these cells. In contrast to Cbl-b, c-Cbl deficiency had no detectable effect on Fc epsilon RI-induced histamine release or on the phosphorylation of total cellular proteins or Syk. The absence of c-Cbl increased the phosphorylation of ERK after receptor stimulation, but resulted in slightly reduced p38 phosphorylation and Ca(2+) response. These results suggest that Cbl-b and c-Cbl have divergent effects on Fc epsilon RI signal transduction and that Cbl-b, but not c-Cbl, functions as a negative regulator of Fc epsilon RI-induced degranulation.

The adapter molecule Sin regulates T-cell-receptor-mediated signal transduction by modulating signaling substrate availability

Engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR) results in the activation of a multitude of signaling events that regulate the function of T lymphocytes. These signaling events are in turn modulated by adapter molecules, which control the final functional output through the formation of multiprotein complexes. In this report, we identified the adapter molecule Sin as a new regulator of T-cell activation. We found that the expression of Sin in transgenic T lymphocytes and Jurkat T cells inhibited interleukin-2 expression and T-cell proliferation. This inhibitory effect was specific and was due to defective phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) phosphorylation and activation. In contrast to other adapters that become phosphorylated upon TCR stimulation, Sin was constitutively phosphorylated in resting cells by the Src kinase Fyn and bound to signaling intermediates, including PLC-gamma. In stimulated cells, Sin was transiently dephosphorylated, which coincided with transient dissociation of Fyn and PLC-gamma. Downregulation of Sin expression using Sin-specific short interfering RNA oligonucleotides inhibited transcriptional activation in response to TCR stimulation. Our results suggest that endogenous Sin influences T-lymphocyte signaling by sequestering signaling substrates and regulating their availability and/or activity in resting cells, while Sin is required for targeting these intermediates to the TCR for fast signal transmission during stimulation.

Coexistence of phosphotyrosine-dependent and -independent interactions between Cbl and Bcr-Abl

Cbl is one of the major tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in Bcr-Abl-expressing cells. A direct association between the SH2 domain of Bcr-Abl and tyrosine-phosphorylated Cbl has been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how unphosphorylated Cbl and Bcr-Abl may associate. Interactions between Cbl and Bcr-Abl were investigated in yeast two- and three-hybrid systems, gel overlay assays, and immunoprecipitates from mammalian cells expressing wild-type and the Y177F mutant of Bcr-Abl. No direct interaction between Bcr-Abl and unphosphorylated Cbl was observed. Bcr-Abl did, however, associate with Grb2, an adaptor protein that binds tyrosine 177 of Bcr-Abl. Additionally, Grb2 interacted with Cbl. In a yeast three-hybrid assay, Grb2 mediated an interaction between Cbl and Bcr-Abl that was dependent on a functional Grb2 binding site. This interaction was confirmed in vitro using purified proteins. In cells expressing Bcr-Abl with a mutation in the Grb2 binding site, binding of Cbl to Bcr-Abl was significantly reduced, but Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation was maintained. Imatinib treatment of these cells further reduced but did not abrogate Cbl binding, reflecting residual kinase activity. Multiple phosphotyrosine-dependent and -independent interactions stabilize the interaction between Cbl and Abl. Grb2 or another, yet unidentified, protein may mediate an initial interaction between Cbl and Bcr-Abl that is independent of Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation. Following this initial interaction, Cbl can then become tyrosine phosphorylated and interact with the SH2 domain of Bcr-Abl, further stabilizing the complex.

c-CBL is not required for leukemia induction by Bcr-Abl in mice

Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase activity is essential for the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). A number of Bcr-Abl substrates have been identified, but it is not clear which of these substrates are required for Bcr-Abl to transform cells. The multifunctional protein c-Cbl is one of the most prominently tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in Bcr-Abl-expressing cells. Using cell lines and mice with homozygous disruption of the c-CBL locus, we investigated the role of this protein for Bcr-Abl-driven transformation. We find that although c-Cbl(-/-) fibroblast cell lines show a deficit in Bcr-Abl transformation compared to wild-type (Wt) cells, this deficit was less pronounced in c-Cbl(-/-) B cells derived from murine bone marrow. Most importantly, in a transplantation model of CML, Bcr-Abl was capable of inducing fatal leukemia in mice in the absence of c-Cbl protein. Our results indicate that c-Cbl is dispensable for Bcr-Abl-induced leukemogenesis in mice.

Allelic exclusion of the TCR alpha-chain is an active process requiring TCR-mediated signaling and c-Cbl

Phenotypic allelic exclusion at the TCRalpha locus is developmentally regulated in thymocytes. Many immature thymocytes express two cell surface alpha-chain species. Following positive selection, the vast majority of mature thymocytes and peripheral T cells display a single cell surface alpha-chain. A posttranslational mechanism occurring at the same time as positive selection and TCR up-regulation leads to this phenotypic allelic exclusion. Different models have been proposed to explain the posttranslational regulation of the alpha-chain allelic exclusion. In this study, we report that allelic exclusion is not regulated by competition between distinct alpha-chains for a single beta-chain, as proposed by the dueling alpha-chain model, nor by limiting CD3 zeta-chain in mature TCR(high) thymocytes. Our data instead favor the selective retention model where the positive selection signal through the TCR leads to phenotypic allelic exclusion by specifically maintaining cell surface expression of the selected alpha-chain while the nonselected alpha-chain is internalized. The use of inhibitors specific for Lck and/or other Src kinases indicates a role for these protein tyrosine kinases in the signaling events leading to the down-regulation of the nonselectable alpha-chain. Loss of the ubiquitin ligase/TCR signaling adapter molecule c-Cbl, which is important in TCR down-modulation and is a negative regulator of T cell signaling, leads to increased dual alpha-chain expression on the cell surface of double-positive thymocytes. Thus, not only is there an important role for TCR signaling in causing alpha-chain allelic exclusion, but differential ubiquitination by c-Cbl may be an important factor in causing only the nonselected alpha-chain to be down-modulated.

Altered proximal T-cell receptor signalling events in mouse CD4+ T cells in the presence of anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies: evidence for reduced phosphorylation of Zap-70 and LAT

Anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies are potential therapeutic agents for the prevention of autoimmune disease and treatment of rejection after organ transplantation and are capable of both restoring tolerance to self-antigens and inducing tolerance to antigens introduced under the cover of the antibody therapy in vivo. Tolerance to donor alloantigens can be induced in vivo by administering donor alloantigen in combination with either depleting (YTA 3.1) or nondepleting (YTS 177) anti-CD4, 28 days before heart transplantation in the mouse. The effect of anti-CD4 on proximal T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling pathways and proliferation was investigated in vitro and in vivo in the presence and absence of YTA 3.1 or YTS 177. Anti-CD4 was found to perturb proximal signalling events upon TCR/CD3 ligation, resulting in reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of Zap-70 and LAT (linker for activation of T cells) and reduced association of tyrosine-phosphorylated LAT with lck. This ultimately resulted in severely reduced proliferation of the responding CD4+ T cells. The signalling profile of the anti-CD4-treated cells resembled that of anergic T cells. This could be a result of a common mechanism involving perturbation in the formation of the central supramolecular activation cluster of the immunological synapse by impaired recruitment of CD4 and CD28, thereby resulting in severely reduced lck activation.

Association of a new c-Cbl related protein with the very first stages of apoptosis induction

This study investigates the involvement of the c-cbl proto-oncogene during the first stages of the apoptotic process. We have already shown that a c-Cbl aptotosis-related protein of 90 kDa (CARP 90) is detected very rapidly in the cytoplasm as well as in the nucleus of murine thymocytes after hydrocortisone (HC) treatment. We report here that this protein appeared as well after in vivo treatment of mice by gamma-irradiation or injection of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, two potent thymic apoptosis inductors, providing a close relationship between the occurrence of apoptosis and the appearance of CARP 90. We showed that CARP 90 and p120(cbl) share numerous epitopes strikingly suggesting that CARP 90 is coded by c-cbl. In addition, KO mice do not sustain CARP 90 appearance. We finally showed that CARP 90 contains N- and C-terminal end epitopes of p120(cbl), which suggests that CARP 90 is an alternative spliced form of c-cbl. This protein was also observed under gamma-irradiation in tissues of different origin, which enlarges the physiological significance of this phenomenon. The very rapid CARP 90 appearance under apoptotic conditions in the nucleus of cells originating in different tissues makes this protein if not a possible new actor of the apoptotic process, at least an interesting marker of this process.

Inhibition of the transforming activity of FLT3 internal tandem duplication mutants from AML patients by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor

FLT3 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that may play a role in a significant proportion of leukemias. In addition to being aberrantly expressed in acute leukemias, activating mutations of the FLT3 gene have been found in patients with AML, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and more rarely, ALL. Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of the FLT3 gene have been detected in 17-34% of patients with AML and portend a poor prognosis for these patients. FLT3 receptors containing ITD mutations (FLT3/ITDs) are constitutively activated in the absence of FLT3 ligand (FL) stimulation leading to the activation of downstream signaling proteins, including ERK and STAT 5. FLT3 activity, therefore, is a logical target for therapeutic intervention. AG1296 is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the tyrphostin class that shows inhibitory activity for wild-type FLT3, in addition to the PDGF and c-KIT receptors. We examined the inhibitory effects of AG1296 on FLT3/ITDs isolated from AML patients in the IL-3-dependent cell line, Ba/F3, as well as in primary leukemia samples from AML patients. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting analyses demonstrated that FLT3/ITDs were constitutively phosphorylated in the absence of FL. The auto-phosphorylation of FLT3/ITDs was inhibited by AG1296 with an IC(50) of approximately 1 microM. FLT3/ITDs were associated with constitutive phosphorylation of ERK, STAT 5A, STAT 5B, CBL, VAV and SHP2 in Ba/F3 cells. The phosphorylation of these downstream signaling molecules was suppressed in a dose-responsive fashion by AG1296. AG1296 inhibited IL-3 independent growth and induced apoptosis in Ba/F3 cells transformed by FLT3/ITDs. AG1296 also inhibited FLT3 auto-phosphorylation, and induced a cytotoxic effect, in primary AML cells. These findings suggest that inhibiting the activity of FLT3 may have a therapeutic value in some leukemias expressing FLT3/ITDs.

Phosphorylation of c-Cbl protooncogene product following ethanol administration in rat cerebellum: possible involvement of Fyn kinase

We have previously shown that ethanol administration results in tyrosine phosphorylation of the 130 kDa protein in rat brain, and identified the protein as Cas, the crk-associated src substrate. In the present study, we demonstrate that Cbl of a 120 kDa protein is also tyrosine-phosphorylated in the cerebellum in response to ethanol administration. We also investigated whether Fyn kinase was involved in ethanol-induced Cbl phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that the amount of coimmunoprecipitated Fyn kinase with an anti-Cbl antibody increased in extracts from ethanol-administered rats compared to those from saline-administered rats. Exogenous Fyn kinase was shown to phosphorylate on tyrosine residue(s) of Cbl from the cerebellum in vitro. Furthermore, Fyn kinase and Cbl were demonstrated immunohistochemically to be coexpressed in white matter in the cerebellum. These findings indicate that Cbl is tyrosine-phosphorylated in rat cerebellum in response to ethanol administration, and also raise the possibility that Fyn kinase may be involved in the process.

Inhibition of Src family kinases blocks epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced activation of Akt, phosphorylation of c-Cbl, and ubiquitination of the EGF receptor

Stimulation of T47D cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) results in the activation of the intrinsic tyrosine kinases of the receptor and the phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins including the receptor, scaffold molecules such as c-Cbl, adapter molecules such as Shc, and the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt. We demonstrate that EGF stimulation of T47D cells results in the activation of the Src protein-tyrosine kinase and that the Src kinase inhibitor PP1 blocks the EGF-induced phosphorylation of c-Cbl but not the activation/phosphorylation of the EGF receptor itself. PP1 also blocks EGF-induced ubiquitination of the EGF receptor, which is presumably mediated by phosphorylated c-Cbl. Src is associated with c-Cbl, and we have previously demonstrated that the Src-like kinase Fyn can phosphorylate c-Cbl at a preferred binding site for the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase. PP1 treatment blocks EGF-induced activation of the anti-apoptotic protein kinase Akt suggesting that Src may regulate activation of Akt, perhaps by a Src --> c-Cbl --> phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase --> Akt pathway.

Constitutive endocytosis and degradation of the pre-T cell receptor

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) signals constitutively in the absence of putative ligands on thymic stroma and signal transduction correlates with translocation of the pre-TCR into glycolipid-enriched microdomains (rafts) in the plasma membrane. Here, we show that the pre-TCR is constitutively routed to lysosomes after reaching the cell surface. The cell-autonomous down-regulation of the pre-TCR requires activation of the src-like kinase p56(lck), actin polymerization, and dynamin. Constitutive signaling and degradation represents a feature of the pre-TCR because the gammadeltaTCR expressed in the same cell line does not exhibit these features. This is also evident by the observation that the protein adaptor/ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl is phosphorylated and selectively translocated into rafts in pre-TCR- but not gammadeltaTCR-expressing cells. A role of c-Cbl-mediated ubiquitination in pre-TCR degradation is supported by the reduction of degradation through pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome and through a dominant-negative c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase as well as by increased pre-TCR surface expression on immature thymocytes in c-Cbl-deficient mice. The pre-TCR internalization contributes significantly to the low surface level of the receptor on developing T cells, and may in fact be a requirement for optimal pre-TCR function.

Lck is required for stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha (CXCL12)-induced lymphoid cell chemotaxis

Stromal cell-derived factor 1alpha (CXCL12) induces chemotaxis of lymphocytes through its receptor CXCR4. We examined the role of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in CXCL12-induced chemotaxis of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Damnacanthal, a specific Lck inhibitor, but not the Syk inhibitor piceatannol, inhibited CXCL12-induced chemotaxis of both lymphocyte subsets. Similarly, damnacanthal was shown to inhibit CXCL12-induced chemotaxis of the Jurkat T-cell line. Stimulating T and NK cells with CXCL12 increased both the tyrosine phosphorylation and the kinase activity of Lck. A direct involvement of Lck in CXCL12-induced chemotaxis was demonstrated in the Lck-deficient Jurkat-derived cell line JCaM1.6. Although JCaM1.6 cells express CXCR4, no significant migration was detected after CXCL12 stimulation. Reconstitution with wild-type Lck restored both CXCL12-induced chemotaxis and Lck activation. Furthermore, cotransfection of wild-type Lck with C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) into JCaM1.6 failed to restore the chemotactic response induced by CXCL12. Finally, by targeting critical residues in the Src homology-2 (SH2) or SH3 domains of Lck, we observed that the SH3 domain is important for the function of Lck in CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis. Together, these results suggest a role for Lck in CXCL12-induced signaling pathways leading to lymphocyte chemotaxis.