Multi-molecular complexes nucleated by adaptor proteins play a central role in signal transduction. In T cells, one central axis consists of the assembly of several signaling proteins linked together by the adaptors linker of activated T cells (LAT), Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte-specific phosphoprotein of 76 kDa (SLP-76), and Grb2-related adaptor downstream of Shc (Gads). Each of these adaptors has been shown to be important for normal T cell development, and their proper sub-cellular localization is critical for optimal function in cell lines. We previously demonstrated in Jurkat T cells and a rat basophilic leukemic cell line that expression of a 50-amino acid polypeptide identical to the site on SLP-76 that binds to Gads blocks proper localization of SLP-76 and SLP-76-dependent signaling events. Here we extend these studies to investigate the ability of this polypeptide to inhibit TCR-induced integrin activity in Jurkat cells and to inhibit in vivo thymocyte development and primary T cell function. These data provide evidence for the in vivo function of a dominant-negative peptide based upon the biology of SLP-76 action and suggest the possibility of therapeutic potential of targeting the SLP-76/Gads interaction.
IntroductionStimulation of T cells through the T cell receptor (TCR) leads to recruitment and localization of several critical signaling proteins, which results in the generation of a macro-molecular signaling complex. Key components of this complex, or signalosome, include the adaptors Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing leukocyte-specific phosphoprotein of 76 kDa (SLP-76), and Grb2-related adaptor downstream of Shc (Gads), which serves to link SLP-76 and its associated molecules to the transmembrane adaptor linker of activated T cells (LAT) [1].As an adaptor protein, SLP-76 possesses no enzymatic activity but functions via interaction with multiple proteins by way of three structural domains [2][3][4]. The N terminus harbors three tyrosines that become phos- phorylated upon TCR engagement [5,6] and have been reported to serve as docking sites for the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav, the adaptor protein Nck, the Tec family kinase Itk, and the p85 subunit of PI3K [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. A single SH2 domain resides in the C-terminal portion of SLP-76 and links it to the adhesion and degranulation-promoting adaptor protein (ADAP) and to the hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 [17][18][19]. Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1, in turn, has been shown to phosphorylate SLP-76, creating a binding site for 14-3-3, a negative regulator of TCR signaling [20,21]. The central proline-rich region binds phospholipase Cc- Targeted deletion of SLP-76 in mice results in an inability of thymocytes to progress past the CD4 -CD8 -double-negative (DN) stage of development and thus a complete absence of mature T cells [28,29]. Since T cells do not develop in the absence of SLP-76, much of our knowledge of the role of SLP-76 in mature TCR signaling has been derived from the study of J14 ...