Here, we examined the functional involvement of heterotrimeric G-proteins in TCR-induced immune responses. TCR/CD3 crosslinking resulted in activation of both Gaq and Gas, but not Gai-2. Targeting of Gas, Gai-2 and Gaq using siRNA demonstrated a specific role of Gaq in TCR signaling. Jurkat TAg T cells with Gaq knockdown displayed reduced activation of Lck and LAT phosphorylation, but paradoxically showed sustained ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased NFAT-AP-1-reporter activity implicating Gaq in the negative control of downstream signaling and IL-2-promoter activity. Primary T cells isolated from Gaq-deficient mice had a similar TCR signaling response with reduced proximal LAT phosphorylation, sustained ERK1/2 phosphorylation and augmented immune responses including increased secretion of IL-2, IL-5, IL-12 and TNF-a. The effects on NFAT-AP-1-reporter activity were sensitive to the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 and were reversed by transient expression of constitutively active Lck. Furthermore, expression of constitutively active Gaq Q209L elevated Lck activity and Zap-70 phosphorylation. Together these data argue for a role of Gaq in the fine-tuning of proximal TCR signals at the level of Lck and a negative regulatory role of Gaq in transcriptional activation of cytokine responses.
Key words: Signal transduction . T cells . TCR . Transgenic/knockout mice
IntroductionThe TCR/CD3 complex is composed of a ligand-binding TCR-ab heterodimer and signal transducing dimers of CD3eg, CD3ed and zz that upon interaction with its MHC-peptide ligand initiate an activation process that, although not fully understood, probably involves both receptor clustering and conformational changes of the cytoplasmic part of the CD3 complex [1,2]. Considering the physiological significance of correct T-cell activation, this signal interpretation probably involves complex molecular integration proximal to the TCR. A key early event is the mobilization and activation of the protein tyrosine kinase Lck, which in turn phosphorylates ITAM within the CD3 component that can recruit ZAP-70 through its two SH2-domains [3]. ZAP-70 is then phosphorylated by Lck on Y493 leading to full catalytic activation [4]. One important substrate of activated ZAP-70 is the transmembrane adaptor LAT, which acts as a scaffold to assemble signaling complexes essential for T-cell activation [5].The
3208TCR necessary for the development and activation of T cells. In addition, several lines of evidence suggest that initiation of modulating pathways is controlled by Lck. Both TCR desensitization by internalization and induction of apoptosis through the mitochondrial death pathway are regulated by Lck [7,8]. Furthermore, the activation of Lck by partial antagonist and the ability of Lck to negatively regulate superantigen-induced T-cell activation support a dual role of Lck [9,10]. Interestingly, acute elimination of Lck in either Jurkat or primary T cells using RNA interference results in sustained and elevated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and augmented NFAT-reporter ac...