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

Phosphorylation on Syk Y342 is important for both ITAM and hemITAM signaling in platelets

Immune cells express receptors bearing an immune tyrosine activation motif (ITAM) containing two YXXL motifs or hemITAMs containing only one YXXL motif. Phosphorylation of the ITAM/hemITAM is mediated by Src family kinases allowing for the binding and activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). It is believed that Syk must be phosphorylated on tyrosine residues for activation, and Tyr342, а conserved tyrosine in the interdomain B region, has been shown to be critical for regulating Syk in FcεR1-activated mast cells. Syk is a key mediator of signaling pathways downstream of several platelet pathways including the ITAM bearing glycoprotein VI (GPVI)/Fc receptor gamma chain collagen receptor and the hemITAM containing C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2). Since platelet activation is a crucial step in both hemostasis and thrombosis, we evaluated the importance of Syk Y342 in these processes by producing an Syk Y342F knock-in mouse. When using a CLEC-2 antibody as an agonist, reduced aggregation and secretion were observed in Syk Y342F mouse platelets when compared with control mouse platelets. Platelet reactivity was also reduced in response to the GPVI agonist collagen-related peptide. Signaling initiated by either GPVI or CLEC-2 was also greatly inhibited, including Syk Y519/520 phosphorylation. Hemostasis, as measured by tail bleeding time, was not altered in Syk Y342F mice, but thrombus formation in response to FeCl₃ injury was prolonged in Syk Y342F mice. These data demonstrate that phosphorylation of Y342 on Syk following stimulation of either GPVI or CLEC-2 receptors is important for the ability of Syk to transduce a signal.

A phospho-tyrosine-based signaling module using SPOP, CSK, and LYN controls TLR-induced IRF activity

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen- and host-derived factors and control immune responses via the adaptor protein MyD88 and members of the interferon regulatory transcription factor (IRF) family. IRFs orchestrate key effector functions, including cytokine release, cell differentiation, and, under certain circumstances, inflammation pathology. Here, we show that IRF activity is generically controlled by the Src kinase family member LYN, which phosphorylates all TLR-induced IRFs at a conserved tyrosine residue, resulting in K48-linked polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of IRFs. We further show that LYN activity is controlled by the upstream kinase C-terminal Src kinase (CSK), whose activity, in turn, is controlled by the adaptor protein SPOP, which serves as molecular bridge to recruit CSK into the TLR signaling complex and to activate CSK catalytic activity. Consistently, deletion of SPOP or CSK results in increased LYN activity, LYN-directed IRF degradation, and inhibition of IRF transcriptional activity. Together, the data reveal a key regulatory mechanism for IRF family members controlling TLR biology.

Tyr192 Regulates Lymphocyte-Specific Tyrosine Kinase Activity in T Cells

TCR signaling critically depends on the tyrosine kinase Lck (lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase). Two phosphotyrosines, the activating pTyr³⁹⁴ and the inhibitory pTyr⁵⁰⁵, control Lck activity. Recently, pTyr¹⁹² in the Lck SH2 domain emerged as a third regulator. How pTyr¹⁹² may affect Lck function remains unclear. In this study, we explored the role of Lck Tyr¹⁹² using CRISPR/Cas9-targeted knock-in mutations in the human Jurkat T cell line. Our data reveal that both Lck pTyr³⁹⁴ and pTyr⁵⁰⁵ are controlled by Lck Tyr¹⁹² Lck with a nonphosphorylated SH2 domain (Lck Phe¹⁹²) displayed hyperactivity, possibly by promoting Lck Tyr³⁹⁴ transphosphorylation. Lck Glu¹⁹² mimicking stable Lck pTyr¹⁹² was inhibited by Tyr⁵⁰⁵ hyperphosphorylation. To overcome this effect, we further mutated Tyr⁵⁰⁵ The resulting Lck Glu¹⁹²/Phe⁵⁰⁵ displayed strongly increased amounts of pTyr³⁹⁴ both in resting and activated T cells. Our results suggest that a fundamental role of Lck pTyr¹⁹² may be to protect Lck pTyr³⁹⁴ and/or pTyr⁵⁰⁵ to maintain a pool of already active Lck in resting T cells. This provides an additional mechanism for fine-tuning of Lck as well as T cell activity.

LCK is an important mediator of B-cell receptor signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

B-cell receptor (BCR) signals promote survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, and it is believed that overexpressed and constitutively active Lyn mediates this signaling. Here, we show that CLL cells express lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) and that inhibition of this Src family tyrosine kinase with the specific inhibitor [4-amino-5-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-7-yl-cyclopentane (Lck-i)], or reduction of its expression with siRNA, blocks the induction of CD79a, Syk, inhibitor of IκB kinase (IKK), Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation by BCR cross-linking in these cells. Furthermore, we show that CLL cells with high levels of LCK expression have higher levels of BCR-mediated IKK, Akt, and ERK phosphorylation as well as cell survival than CLL cells with low levels of LCK expression. We also show that treatment of CLL cells with Lck-i inhibits BCR cross-linking-induced cell survival. Taken together, these data show a major role for LCK in proximal and distal BCR-mediated signaling in CLL cells and suggest that LCK expression is important in the pathogenesis of this disease. On a clinical level, these studies advocate the use of specific LCK inhibitors in the treatment of progressive CLL.

Characterization of clathrin and Syk interaction upon Shiga toxin binding

Shiga toxin (Stx) is a bacterial toxin that binds to its receptor Gb3 at the plasma membrane. It is taken up by endocytosis and transported retrogradely via the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum. The toxin is then translocated to the cytosol where it exerts its toxic effect. We have previously shown that phosphorylation of clathrin heavy chain (CHC) is an early event following Stx binding to HeLa cells, and that this requires the activity of the tyrosine kinase Syk. Here, we have investigated this event in more detail in the B lymphoid cell line Ramos, which expresses high endogenous levels of both Syk and Gb3. We report that efficient endocytosis of Stx in Ramos cells requires Syk activity and that Syk is recruited to the uptake site of Stx. Furthermore, in response to Stx treatment, CHC and Syk were rapidly phosphorylated in a Src family kinase dependent manner at Y1477 and Y352, respectively. We show that these phosphorylated residues act as binding sites for the direct interaction between Syk and CHC. Interestingly, Syk-CHC complex formation could be induced by both Stx and B cell receptor stimulation.

Critical role of Lck in L-selectin signaling induced by sulfatides engagement

Recruitment of leukocytes onto inflamed tissues is an important physiological event, in which L-selectin plays an essential role in initial leukocyte capture and at the same time, triggers cell signaling. Lck is a member of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases and is critical for T cell activation triggered by receptor ligation. Here, we demonstrated that Lck was associated directly with and phosphorylated the L-selectin cytoplasmic tail upon L-selectin engagement with sulfatides. Through the direct interaction with ZAP-70 and c-Abl via its Src homology 2 (SH2) and SH3 domains, Lck organized a signaling complex at the cytoplasmic tail of L-selectin. In the cells with Lck knockdown by small interfering RNA treatment, L-selectin signaling was suppressed dramatically, as indicated by reduced phosphorylation of c-Abl and ZAP-70. Re-expression of wild-type or constitutively active but not kinase-dead murine Lck rescued the phosphorylation completely, but the SH2 domain mutant or the SH3/SH2 double mutant of murine Lck had no effect. These results suggest that Lck plays a critical role in L-selectin signaling upon sulfatides stimulation.

A weak Lck tail bite is necessary for Lck function in T cell antigen receptor signaling

Src family kinases are suppressed by a "tail bite" mechanism, in which the binding of a phosphorylated tyrosine in the C terminus of the protein to the Src homology (SH) 2 domain in the N-terminal half of the protein forces the catalytic domain into an inactive conformation stabilized by an additional SH3 interaction. In addition to this intramolecular suppressive function, the SH2 domain also mediates intermolecular interactions, which are crucial for T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling. To better understand the relative importance of these two opposite functions of the SH2 domain of the Src family kinase Lck in TCR signaling, we created three mutants of Lck in which the intramolecular binding of the C terminus to the SH2 domain was strengthened. The mutants differed from wild-type Lck only in one to three amino acid residues following the negative regulatory tyrosine 505, which was normally phosphorylated by Csk and dephosphorylated by CD45 in the mutants. In the Lck-negative JCaM1 cell line, the Lck mutants had a much reduced ability to transduce signals from the TCR in a manner that directly correlated with SH2-Tyr(P)(505) affinity. The mutant with the strongest tail bite was completely unable to support any ZAP-70 phosphorylation, mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, or downstream gene activation in response to TCR ligation, whereas other mutants had intermediate abilities. Lipid raft targeting was not affected. We conclude that Lck is regulated by a weak tail bite to allow for its activation and service in TCR signaling, perhaps through a competitive SH2 engagement mechanism.

Phospholipase D2 acts as an essential adaptor protein in the activation of Syk in antigen-stimulated mast cells

Mast cells are responsible for IgE-mediated allergic reactions. Phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and PLD2 regulate mast cell activation, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that PLD2 associates with and promotes activation of Syk, a key enzyme in mast cell activation. Antigen stimulation resulted in increased association and colocalization of Syk with PLD2 on the plasma membrane as indicated by coimmunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy. This association was dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk but not on PLD2 activity. In vitro, PLD2 interacted via its Phox homology (PX) domain with recombinant Syk to induce phosphorylation and activation of Syk. Furthermore, overexpression of PLD2 or catalytically inactive PLD2K758R enhanced antigen-induced phosphorylations of Syk and its downstream targets, the adaptor proteins LAT and SLP-76, while expression of a PLD2 siRNA blocked these phosphorylations. Apparently, the interaction of PLD2 with Syk is an early critical event in the activation of mast cells.

Hypoxia regulates cross-talk between Syk and Lck leading to breast cancer progression and angiogenesis

Hypoxia is a key parameter that controls tumor angiogenesis and malignant progression by regulating the expression of several oncogenic molecules. The nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases Syk and Lck play crucial roles in the signaling mechanism of various cellular processes. The enhanced expression of Syk in normal breast tissue but not in malignant breast carcinoma has prompted us to investigate its potential role in mammary carcinogenesis. Accordingly, we hypothesized that hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) may play an important role in regulating Syk activation, and Lck may be involved in this process. In this study, we have demonstrated that H/R differentially regulates Syk phosphorylation and its subsequent interaction and cross-talk with Lck in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, Syk and Lck play differential roles in regulating Sp1 activation and expressions of melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MelCAM), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in response to H/R. Overexpression of wild type Syk inhibited the H/R-induced uPA, MMP-9, and VEGF expression but up-regulated MelCAM expression. Our data also indicated that MelCAM acts as a tumor suppressor by negatively regulating H/R-induced uPA secretion and MMP-9 activation. The mice xenograft study showed the cross-talk between Syk and Lck regulated H/R-induced breast tumor progression and further correlated with the expressions of MelCAM, uPA, MMP-9, and VEGF. Human clinical specimen analysis supported the in vitro and in vivo findings. To our knowledge, this is first report that the cross-talk between Syk and Lck regulates H/R-induced breast cancer progression and further suggests that Syk may act as potential therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.

Molecular basis for a direct interaction between the Syk protein-tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase

After engagement of the B cell receptor for antigen, the Syk protein-tyrosine kinase becomes phosphorylated on multiple tyrosines, some of which serve as docking sites for downstream effectors with SH2 or other phosphotyrosine binding domains. The most frequently identified binding partner for catalytically active Syk identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen was the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. The C-terminal SH2 domain of p85 was sufficient for mediating an interaction with tyrosine-phosphorylated Syk. Interestingly, this domain interacted with Syk at phosphotyrosine 317, a site phosphorylated in trans by the Src family kinase, Lyn, and identified previously as a binding site for c-Cbl. This site interacted preferentially with the p85 C-terminal SH2 domain compared with the c-Cbl tyrosine kinase binding domain. Molecular modeling studies showed a good fit between the p85 SH2 domain and a peptide containing phosphotyrosine 317. Tyr-317 was found to be essential for Syk to support phagocytosis mediated by FcgammaRIIA receptors expressed in a heterologous system. These studies establish a new type of p85 binding site that can exist on proteins that serve as substrates for Src family kinases and provide a molecular explanation for observations on direct interactions between Syk and phosphoinositide 3-kinase.

Regulation of protein kinases; controlling activity through activation segment conformation

There are currently at least forty-six unique protein kinase crystal structures, twenty-four of which are available in an active state. Here we examine these structures using a structural bioinformatics approach to understand how the conformation of the activation segment controls kinase activity.

T-cell receptor–induced phosphorylation of the ζ chain is efficiently promoted by ZAP-70 but not Syk

Engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR) results in the activation of Lck/Fyn and ZAP-70/Syk tyrosine kinases. Lck-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of signaling motifs (ITAMs) in the CD3-ζ subunits of the TCR is an initial step in the transduction of signaling cascades. However, ζ phosphorylation is also promoted by ZAP-70, as TCR-induced ζ phosphorylation is defective in ZAP-70–deficient T cells. We show that this defect is corrected by stable expression of ZAP-70, but not Syk, in primary and transformed T cells. Indeed, these proteins are differentially coupled to the TCR with a 5- to 10-fold higher association of ZAP-70 with ζ as compared to Syk. Low-level Syk-ζ binding is associated with significantly less Lck coupled to the TCR. Moreover, diminished coupling of Lck to ζ correlates with a poor phosphorylation of the positive regulatory tyr352 residue of Syk. Thus, recruitment of Lck into the TCR complex with subsequent ζ chain phosphorylation is promoted by ZAP-70 but not Syk. Importantly, the presence of ZAP-70 positively regulates the TCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk. The interplay between Syk and ZAP-70 in thymocytes, certain T cells, and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, in which they are coexpressed, will therefore modulate the amplitude of antigen-mediated receptor signaling.

Critical role of Ser-520 phosphorylation for membrane recruitment and activation of the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase in T cells

Regulation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) by tyrosine phosphorylation is well recognized; in fact, nearly all PTKs require phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in their "activation loop" for catalytic activity. In contrast, the phosphorylation of PTKs on serine and threonine residues has not been studied nearly as much. We report that the ZAP-70 PTK contains predominately phosphoserine in normal T lymphocytes as well as in Jurkat T leukemia cells. We have identified one site of phosphorylation as Ser-520 and find this site to be important for the recruitment and activation of ZAP-70 in T cells. Mutant ZAP-70-S520A had reduced ability to autophosphorylate and to mediate antigen receptor-induced interleukin 2 gene activation and was not enriched at the plasma membrane. These defects were rescued by addition of a myristylation signal to the N terminus of ZAP-70-S520A to force its plasma membrane and lipid raft localization. We conclude that phosphorylation of ZAP-70 at Ser-520 plays an important role in the correct localization of ZAP-70 and in priming ZAP-70 for its acute recruitment and activation upon antigen receptor ligation.

Adaptor protein 3BP2 is a potential ligand of Src homology 2 and 3 domains of Lyn protein-tyrosine kinase

Adaptor protein 3BP2, a c-Abl-Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-binding protein, is known to play a regulatory role in T-cell receptor-mediated transcriptional activation of nuclear factor of activated T cell and activator protein 1 by interacting with Syk/ZAP-70 protein-tyrosine kinase. We have previously demonstrated that aggregation of high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) induces tyrosine phosphorylation of 3BP2, and overexpression of the 3BP2-SH2 domain suppresses antigen-induced degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 mast cell line. In this report, we attempt to analyze the biological relevance of 3BP2 tyrosine phosphorylation. By using the transient expression system in COS-7 cells, we have demonstrated that 3BP2 was predominantly phosphorylated on Tyr174, Tyr183, and Tyr446 when it was coexpressed with Syk. An in vitro binding study revealed that phosphorylation of Tyr446 by Syk was likely to create a binding site for the Lyn-SH2 domain in RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, proline-rich region of 3BP2 bound to the Lyn-SH3 domain. Conformational microscopic analysis showed that Lyn and 3BP2 are constitutively colocalized in RBL-2H3 cells. Overexpression of 3BP2 in RBL-2H3 cells resulted in an enhancement of Lyn autophosphorylation. These results suggest that the adaptor protein 3BP2 is a potential regulator of Lyn protein-tyrosine kinase as a ligand of its SH3/SH2 domains in FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling in mast cells.

Inhibition of T cell antigen receptor signaling by VHR-related MKPX (VHX), a new dual specificity phosphatase related to VH1 related (VHR)

A cDNA encoding a novel, human, dual-specific protein phosphatase was identified in the Incyte data base. The open reading frame predicted a protein of 184 amino acids related to the Vaccinia virus VH1 and human VH1-related (VHR) phosphatases. Expression VHR-related MKPX (VHX) was highest in thymus, but also detectable in monocytes and lymphocytes. A VHX-specific antiserum detected a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 19 kDa in many cells, including T lymphocytes and monocytes. VHX expression was not induced by T cell activation, but decreased somewhat at later time points. In vitro, VHX dephosphorylated the Erk2 mitogen-activated protein kinase with faster kinetics than did VHR, which is thought to be specific for Erk1 and 2. When expressed in Jurkat T cells, VHX had the capacity to suppress T cell antigen receptor-induced activation of Erk2 and of an NFAT/AP-1 luciferase reporter, but not an NF-kappaB reporter. Thus, VHX is a new member of the VH1/VHR group of small dual-specific phosphatases that act in mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways.

Lck protein tyrosine kinase is a key regulator of T-cell activation and a target for signal intervention by Herpesvirus saimiri and other viral gene products

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are critically involved in signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, differentiation, activation, and transformation. It is not surprising, therefore, that viruses acquire effector molecules targeting these kinases to ensure their own replication and/or persistence. This review summarizes our current knowledge on Lck, a member of the Src family of PTK, and its viral interaction partners. Lck plays a key role in T lymphocyte activation and differentiation. It is associated with a variety of cell surface receptors and is critical for signal transduction from the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). Consequently, Lck is targeted by regulatory proteins of T-lymphotropic viruses, especially by the Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) tyrosine kinase interacting protein (Tip). This oncoprotein physically interacts with Lck in HVS transformed T cells and has an impact on its catalytic activity. However, while Tip inhibits Lck activity in stably expressing cell lines, opposite effects were observed in several in vitro systems. At least in part, this complex situation may be related to the bipartite nature of the interaction surface of the two proteins. Studies on the interrelationships between Lck and its viral partners contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of T-cell growth regulation, in general, and of viral pathogenicity in particular. In addition, understanding the regulation of Lck activity by viral proteins may serve as a basis for the development of new drugs capable of modifying Lck activity in different pathological situations.

The tumor suppressor PTEN regulates T cell survival and antigen receptor signaling by acting as a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphatase

The tumor suppressor gene PTEN encodes a 55-kDa enzyme that hydrolyzes both protein phosphotyrosyl and 3-phosphorylated inositol phospholipids in vitro. We have found that the latter activity is physiologically relevant in intact T cells. Expression of active PTEN lead to a 50% loss of transfected cells due to increased apoptosis, which was completely prevented by coexpression of a constitutively active, membrane-bound form of protein kinase B. A mutant of PTEN selectively lacking lipid phosphatase activity, but retaining protein phosphatase activity, had no effects on cell number. Active (but not mutant) PTEN also decreased TCR-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK2 (extracellular signal-related kinase 2), as seen after inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Our data indicate that PTEN is a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphatase in T cells, and we suggest that PTEN may play a role in the regulation of T cell survival and TCR signaling by directly opposing phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

The next wave: protein tyrosine phosphatases enter T cell antigen receptor signalling

Recent years have seen an exponentially increasing interest in the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction. Much of the focus has been on protein tyrosine kinase-mediated signalling, while the study of protein tyrosine phosphatases has lagged behind. We predict that the phosphatases will become a "hot topic" in the field within the next few years. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art in our understanding of the structure, regulation and role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in T lymphocyte activation.

A Common Signaling Pathway Via Syk and Lyn Tyrosine Kinases Generated From Capping of the Sialomucins CD34 and CD43 in Immature Hematopoietic Cells

The sialomucin CD34 is a useful marker for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. However, the role of CD34 remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the functions of CD34 and another sialomucin CD43 coexpressed on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Stimulation of undifferentiated hematopoietic KG1a cells with anti-CD34 or anti-CD43 induced homotypic cytoadhesion, accompanied by formation of a long-lived cap of CD34 and CD43 respectively, which colocalized with F-actin. Stimulation with either antibody specifically increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the identical set of proteins of Lyn, Syk, pp60, pp69, and pp77 at the capping site. These events were similar to those observed in monocytic U937 cells ectopically expressing CD34. After stimulation of KG1a cells, coimmunoprecipitation of Lyn with pp69 and pp77 and of Syk with pp37 was detected in the membrane fraction. Blockade of antibody-induced cap formation by treatment with cytochalasin D leads to inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and pp77 and homotypic cytoadhesion. Moreover, normal human CD34+ bone marrow cells showed cap formation of CD34 or CD43 after stimulation. These results suggest that crosslinking of either CD34 or CD43 activates the same signaling pathway for cytoadhesion through Lyn, Syk, and the novel tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins within hematopoiesis.

A Common Signaling Pathway Via Syk and Lyn Tyrosine Kinases Generated From Capping of the Sialomucins CD34 and CD43 in Immature Hematopoietic Cells

The sialomucin CD34 is a useful marker for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. However, the role of CD34 remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the functions of CD34 and another sialomucin CD43 coexpressed on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Stimulation of undifferentiated hematopoietic KG1a cells with anti-CD34 or anti-CD43 induced homotypic cytoadhesion, accompanied by formation of a long-lived cap of CD34 and CD43 respectively, which colocalized with F-actin. Stimulation with either antibody specifically increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the identical set of proteins of Lyn, Syk, pp60, pp69, and pp77 at the capping site. These events were similar to those observed in monocytic U937 cells ectopically expressing CD34. After stimulation of KG1a cells, coimmunoprecipitation of Lyn with pp69 and pp77 and of Syk with pp37 was detected in the membrane fraction. Blockade of antibody-induced cap formation by treatment with cytochalasin D leads to inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and pp77 and homotypic cytoadhesion. Moreover, normal human CD34+ bone marrow cells showed cap formation of CD34 or CD43 after stimulation. These results suggest that crosslinking of either CD34 or CD43 activates the same signaling pathway for cytoadhesion through Lyn, Syk, and the novel tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins within hematopoiesis.

The engagement of beta1 integrins on promonocytic cells promotes phosphorylation of Syk and formation of a protein complex containing Lyn and beta1 integrin

The protein-tyrosine kinase Syk participates in signal transduction pathways downstream from multiple immune recognition receptors. Recent evidence indicates that Syk is also functionally coupled to cell surface integrins, which mediate interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix proteins. The interactions of undifferentiated, promonocytic HL60 or U937 cells with fibronectin or anti-beta1 integrin antibodies leads to an apparent activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk that is independent of tight cellular adhesion and spreading. In response to fibronectin or anti-beta1 integrin antibodies, beta1 integrins become associated with a complex of proteins that include the Lyn protein tyrosine kinase and endogenous kinase substrates of 29 and 75-80 kDa. Lyn becomes transiently activated following integrin engagement and co-localizes with the actin cytoskeleton. These studies suggest a major role for Lyn in coupling beta1 integrins to the activation of Syk.

Syk- and Lyn-Dependent Phosphorylation of Syk on Multiple Tyrosines Following B Cell Activation Includes a Site That Negatively Regulates Signaling

The Syk protein tyrosine kinase is an essential component of the B cell Ag receptor signaling pathway. Syk is phosphorylated on tyrosine following B cell activation. However, the sites that are modified and the kinases responsible for these modifications have yet to be determined. To approach this problem, we used a mapping strategy based on the electrophoretic separation of peptides on alkaline polyacrylamide gels to identify the tryptic phosphopeptides derived from metabolically labeled Syk. In this work, we report that Syk from activated B cells is phosphorylated principally on six tyrosines: one located between the tandem SH2 domains (Tyr130); three in the linker region (Tyr317, Tyr342, and Tyr346); and two in the catalytic domain (Tyr519 and Tyr520). The linker region sites are the primary targets of the Src family protein tyrosine kinase, Lyn, and include a site that negatively (Tyr317) regulates receptor signaling. Efficient phosphorylation of the catalytic domain and inter-SH2 domain tyrosines is catalyzed primarily by Syk itself, but only occurs to an appreciable extent in cells that express Lyn. We propose that these sites are phosphorylated following the binding of Syk to immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif.

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

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

NHE3 kinase A regulatory protein E3KARP binds the epithelial brush border Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 and the cytoskeletal protein ezrin

Cyclic AMP is a major second messenger that inhibits the brush border Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3. We have previously shown that either of two related regulatory proteins, E3KARP or NHERF, is necessary for the cAMP-dependent inhibition of NHE3. In the present study, we characterized the interaction between NHE3 and E3KARP using in vitro binding assays. We found that NHE3 directly binds to E3KARP and that the entirety of the second PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain plus the carboxyl-terminal domain of E3KARP are required to bind NHE3. E3KARP binds an internal region within the NHE3 C-terminal cytoplasmic tail, defining a new mode of PDZ domain interaction. Analyses of cellular distribution of NHE3 and E3KARP expressed in PS120 fibroblasts show that NHE3 and E3KARP are co-localized on the plasma membrane, but not in a distinct juxtanuclear compartment in which NHE3 is predominantly expressed. The distributions of NHE3 and E3KARP were not affected by treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP. As shown earlier for the human homolog of NHERF, we also found that the cytoskeletal protein ezrin binds to the carboxyl-terminal domain of E3KARP. These results are consistent with the possibility that E3KARP and NHERF may function as scaffold proteins that bind to both NHE3 and ezrin. Since ezrin is a protein kinase A anchoring protein, we suggest that the scaffolding function of E3KARP binding to both ezrin and NHE3 localizes cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the vicinity of the cytoplasmic domain of NHE3, which is phosphorylated by elevated cAMP.

Phosphorylation of the Grb2- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85-binding p36/38 by Syk in Lck-negative T cells

Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) in T cells involves a positive role for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. We recently reported that over-expression of the Syk protein tyrosine kinase in the Lck-negative JCaM1 cells enabled the TCR to induce a normal activation of the Erk2 MAPK and enhanced transcription of a reporter gene driven by the nuclear factor of activated T cells and AP-1. Because this system allows us to analyse the targets for Syk in receptor-mediated signalling, we examined the role of PI3K in signalling events between the TCR-regulated Syk and the downstream activation of Erk2. We report that inhibition of PI3K by wortmannin or an inhibitory p85 construct, p85deltaiSH2, reduced the TCR-induced Syk-dependent activation of Erk2, as well as the appearance of phospho-Erk and phospho-Mek. At the same time, expression of Syk resulted in the activation-dependent phosphorylation of three proteins that bound to the src homology 2 (SH2) domains of PI3K p85. The strongest of these bands had an apparent molecular mass of 36-38 kDa on SDS gels, and it was quantitatively removed from the lysates by adsorption to a fusion protein containing the SH2 domain of Grb2. The appearance of this band was Syk dependent, and it was seen only upon triggering of the TCR complex. Thus, p36/38 was phosphorylated by Syk or a Syk-regulated kinase, and this protein may provide a link to the recruitment and activation of PI3K, as well as to the Ras-MAPK pathway, in TCR-triggered T cells.

Syk Activation Is Required for Spreading and H2O2 Release in Adherent Human Neutrophils

Chemoattractant-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) that are adherent to extracellular matrix proteins exhibit a massive, sustained respiratory burst that requires cell spreading. However, the signaling pathways culminating in PMN spreading are not well characterized. Studies showing that protein tyrosine phosphorylation increases with PMN spreading suggest that phosphorylation is critical for this process. In the present study, we observed increased tyrosine phosphorylation of both focal adhesion kinase and Syk in FMLP-activated PMNs that had been plated onto fibrinogen; an increase in Syk activity, but not focal adhesion kinase activity, was apparent. The time course of Syk phosphorylation correlated with the initiation of cell spreading and H2O2 release. Pretreatment of PMNs with piceatannol, a Syk-selective inhibitor, blocked Syk activity, cell spreading, and H2O2 release, indicating that Syk activity was required for the activation of adherent PMNs. Paxillin is a cytoskeletally associated protein that is also tyrosine phosphorylated during PMN spreading and H2O2 release. Paxillin phosphorylation is kinetically slower than Syk phosphorylation and is inhibited with piceatannol, suggesting that paxillin is a substrate for Syk. An analysis of Syk immunoprecipitates indicated that Syk and paxillin associate during PMN spreading. This interaction is not mediated by the src kinases Lyn and Fgr, since neither kinase coprecipitated with Syk. Syk from FMLP-activated, adherent PMNs phosphorylated paxillin-glutathione S-transferase, suggesting that paxillin is a substrate for Syk in vivo. These results indicate that PMN spreading and H2O2 release require a Syk-dependent signaling pathway leading to paxillin phosphorylation.

Modification of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase SH2 domain binding properties by Abl- or Lck-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation at Tyr-688

In cells expressing the oncogenic Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, the regulatory p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. We report that this phosphorylation event is readily catalyzed by the Abl and Lck protein-tyrosine kinases in vitro, by Bcr-Abl or a catalytically activated Lck-Y505F in co-transfected COS cells, and by endogenous kinases in transfected Jurkat T cells upon triggering of their T cell antigen receptor. Using these systems, we have mapped a major phosphorylation site to Tyr-688 in the C-terminal SH2 domain of p85. Tyrosine phosphorylation of p85 in vitro or in vivo was not associated with detectable change in the enzymatic activity of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase heterodimer, but correlated with a strong reduction in the binding of some, but not all, phosphoproteins to the SH2 domains of p85. This provides an additional candidate to the list of SH2 domains regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation and may explain why association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with some cellular ligands is transient or of lower stoichiometry than anticipated.

Regulation of the pp72syk protein tyrosine kinase by platelet integrin alpha IIb beta 3

pp72syk is essential for development and function of several hematopoietic cells, and it becomes activated through tandem SH2 interaction with ITAM motifs in immune response receptors. Since Syk is also activated through integrins, which do not contain ITAMs, a CHO cell model system was used to study Syk activation by the platelet integrin, alpha IIb beta 3. As in platelets, Syk underwent tyrosine phosphorylation and activation during CHO cell adhesion to alpha IIb beta 3 ligands, including fibrinogen. This involved Syk autophosphorylation and the tyrosine kinase activity of Src, and it exhibited two novel features. Firstly, unlike alpha IIb beta 3-mediated activation of pp125FAK, Syk activation could be triggered by the binding of soluble fibrinogen and abolished by truncation of the alpha IIb or beta 3 cytoplasmic tail, and it was resistant to inhibition by cytochalasin D. Secondly, it did not require phosphorylated ITAMs since it was unaffected by disruption of an ITAM-interaction motif in the SH2(C) domain of Syk or by simultaneous overexpression of the tandem SH2 domains. These studies demonstrate that Syk is a proximal component in alpha IIb beta 3 signaling and is regulated as a consequence of intimate functional relationships with the alpha IIb beta 3 cytoplasmic tails and with Src or a closely related kinase. Furthermore, there are fundamental differences in the activation of Syk by alpha IIb beta 3 and immune response receptors, suggesting a unique role for integrins in Syk function.

Regulation of T-cell antigen receptor signalling by Syk tyrosine protein kinase

T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) signalling has been shown to involve two classes of tyrosine protein kinases: the Src-related kinases p56(lck) and p59(fyr), and the Zap-70/Syk family kinases. Lck and FynT are postulated to initiate TCR-triggered signal transduction by phosphorylating the CD3 and zeta subunits of the TCR complex. This modification permits the recruitment of Zap-70 and Syk, which are presumed to amplify the TCR-triggered signal, by phosphorylating additional intracellular proteins. While Zap-70 is expressed in all T cells, Syk is present in thymocytes and mature T-cell populations such as intraepithelial gammadelta T cells and naive alphabeta T cells. To better understand the role of Syk in these cells, its impact on the physiology of an antigen-specific T-cell line was tested. Our results showed that compared to Zap-70 alone, Syk was a strong positive regulator of antigen receptor-induced signals in BI-141 cells. Surprisingly, they indicated that, like Src family kinases, Syk augmented TCR-triggered tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3/zeta. Syk, but not Zap-70 alone, could also stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of a zeta-bearing chimera in transiently transfected Cos-1 cells. Finally, evidence was provided that Syk has the capacity to directly phosphorylate a zeta-derived peptide in vitro. These findings suggested that Syk may have a unique role in T cells, as a consequence of its ability to efficiently phosphorylate multiple components of the TCR signalling cascade. Furthermore, they raised the possibility that Syk can regulate the initiation of TCR signalling, by promoting phosphorylation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs of the TCR complex.

Role of Tyr518 and Tyr519 in the regulation of catalytic activity and substrate phosphorylation by Syk protein-tyrosine kinase

The Syk protein-tyrosine kinase is expressed in many hematopoietic cells and is involved in signaling from various receptors for antigen and Fc portions of IgG and IgE. After cross-linking of these receptors, Syk is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. We have previously reported that Syk expressed in COS cells is predominantly phosphorylated at both Tyr518 and Tyr519 at its putative autophosphorylation site. In this study, we have examined the role of each of these two residues for the catalytic activity of Syk in vitro and for the Syk-induced phosphorylation of cellular proteins in intact cells. Mutation of either residue had minor effects on the catalytic activity of Syk, and even the double mutant [F518, F519]Syk was about 60% as active as the wild-type enzyme. In intact cells, however, all three mutants consistently failed to induce the extensive tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins typically observed with wild-type Syk. We have recently shown that the doubly phosphorylated Y518/Y519 site is also the site for association of Syk with the SH2 domain of the Lck kinase, which suggests that although phosphates at Y518/Y519 may enhance the catalytic activity of Syk, its interaction with Src family protein-tyrosine kinases is at least equally important for the induction of downstream substrate phosphorylation.

Syk activation and dissociation from the B-cell antigen receptor is mediated by phosphorylation of tyrosine 130

Syk (p72(syk)) is a 72-kDa cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinase that serves as an essential component of the signal transduction machinery coupled to the B-cell antigen receptor. Syk is recruited to the receptor when it is cross-linked and, in response, becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated and activated before it dissociates from the receptor and appears in the cytoplasm. To begin to explore how tyrosine phosphorylation affects Syk activation and receptor binding, Tyr-130, which is localized within the Syk inter-Src homology 2 domain region, was substituted with Phe or Glu. Substitution of Tyr-130 with Phe enhanced the binding of Syk to the receptor and increased receptor-mediated protein tyrosine phosphorylation, while substitution with Glu greatly reduced this interaction. Replacement of Tyr-130 with Glu also increased the basal activity of the kinase, while replacement with Phe decreased its activity and uncoupled kinase activation from receptor engagement. These data suggest that the phosphorylation of Tyr-130 normally plays an important role in mediating both the activation of Syk and its release from the antigen receptor.

Reconstitution of T cell antigen receptor-induced Erk2 kinase activation in Lck-negative JCaM1 cells by Syk

The two related protein-tyrosine kinases Syk and Zap are rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and enzymatically activated upon crosslinking of the T cell antigen receptor. We have previously reported that the activation of Syk is less dependent on the Src family kinase Lck than the activation of Zap. Here we report that overexpression of Syk in the Lck-negative JCaM1 cells enabled the T cell antigen receptor/CD3 complex to induce a normal activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and expression of a nuclear factor of activated T cells reporter construct. In contrast, Zap and other protein-tyrosine kinases were unable to reconstitute these signaling pathways when expressed at the same levels. In parallel, Syk was phosphorylated on tyrosine, while Zap was not. The Syk-mediated T cell antigen receptor-induced MAPK activation was detectable within 1 min of receptor stimulation and peaked at 3-5 min. The capacity of Syk to reconstitute the MAPK response required the catalytic activity of Syk, an intact autophosphorylation site (Y518 and Y519), both Src homology 2 domains and it was blocked by the inhibitory N17-mutated dominant-negative Ras construct. A Y341-->F mutant of Syk, which is deficient in its interaction with phospholipase Cy1 and Vav, was less efficient than wild-type Syk. Our results suggest that Syk, in contrast to Zap, can transduce signals from the T cell antigen receptor independently of Lck.

Regulation of the low molecular weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase by phosphorylation at tyrosines 131 and 132

Activation of resting T lymphocytes is initiated by rapid but transient tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of cellular proteins. Several protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases are known to be important for this response. Here we report that normal T lymphocytes express the B isoform of low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase B (LMPTP-B). The cDNA was cloned from Jurkat T cells, and an antiserum was raised against it. LMPTP immunoprecipitated from resting Jurkat T cells was found to be tyrosine phosphorylated. On stimulation of the cells through their T cell antigen receptor, the phosphotyrosine content of LMPTP-B declined rapidly. In co-transfected COS cells, Lck and Fyn caused phosphorylation of LMPTP, whereas Csk, Zap, and Jak2 did not. Most of the phosphate was located at Tyr-131, and some was also located at Tyr-132. Incubation of wild-type LMPTP with Lck and adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) caused a 2-fold increase in the activity of LMPTP. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that Tyr-131 is important for the catalytic activity of LMPTP, and that thiophosphorylation of Tyr-131, and to a lesser degree Tyr-132, is responsible for the activation.