Lymphocyte antigen receptor activation of a focal adhesion kinase-related tyrosine kinase substrate

The Non-receptor Tyrosine Kinase Pyk2 in Brain Function and Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases

Pyk2 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase highly enriched in forebrain neurons. Pyk2 is closely related to focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which plays an important role in sensing cell contacts with extracellular matrix and other extracellular signals controlling adhesion and survival. Pyk2 shares some of FAK’s characteristics including recruitment of Src-family kinases after autophosphorylation, scaffolding by interacting with multiple partners, and activation of downstream signaling pathways. Pyk2, however, has the unique property to respond to increases in intracellular free Ca²⁺, which triggers its autophosphorylation following stimulation of various receptors including glutamate NMDA receptors. Pyk2 is dephosphorylated by the striatal-enriched phosphatase (STEP) that is highly expressed in the same neuronal populations. Pyk2 localization in neurons is dynamic, and altered following stimulation, with post-synaptic and nuclear enrichment. As a signaling protein Pyk2 is involved in multiple pathways resulting in sometimes opposing functions depending on experimental models. Thus Pyk2 has a dual role on neurites and dendritic spines. With Src family kinases Pyk2 participates in postsynaptic regulations including of NMDA receptors and is necessary for specific types of synaptic plasticity and spatial memory tasks. The diverse functions of Pyk2 are also illustrated by its role in pathology. Pyk2 is activated following epileptic seizures or ischemia-reperfusion and may contribute to the consequences of these insults whereas Pyk2 deficit may contribute to the hippocampal phenotype of Huntington’s disease. Pyk2 gene, PTK2B, is associated with the risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Studies of underlying mechanisms indicate a complex contribution with involvement in amyloid toxicity and tauopathy, combined with possible functional deficits in neurons and contribution in microglia. A role of Pyk2 has also been proposed in stress-induced depression and cocaine addiction. Pyk2 is also important for the mobility of astrocytes and glioblastoma cells. The implication of Pyk2 in various pathological conditions supports its potential interest for therapeutic interventions. This is possible through molecules inhibiting its activity or increasing it through inhibition of STEP or other means, depending on a precise evaluation of the balance between positive and negative consequences of Pyk2 actions.

The Tyrosine Kinase Pyk2 Contributes to Complement-Mediated Phagocytosis in Murine Macrophages

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is a member of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family and is mainly expressed in neuronal and hematopoietic cells. As FAK family members are involved in signaling connections downstream of integrins, we studied the role of Pyk2 in complement-receptor 3 (CR3, also known as Mac-1, integrin αMβ2, CD11b/CD18)-mediated phagocytosis, a key process in innate immunity. Using 3 independent approaches, we observed that Pyk2 contributes to CR3-dependent phagocytosis by RAW 264.7 macrophages, but is dispensable for Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-mediated uptake. Reduction of Pyk2 expression levels via siRNA, the pharmacological inhibition of Pyk2 kinase activity as well as macrophage treatment with a cell permeable TAT fusion protein containing the C-terminus of Pyk2 (TAT-PRNK) significantly impaired CR3-mediated phagocytosis without affecting FcγR-mediated uptake. In addition, Pyk2 was strongly recruited to complement opsonized Escherichia coli and the pharmacological inhibition of Pyk2 significantly decreased uptake of the bacteria. Finally, CRISPR/Cas-mediated disruption of the pyk2 gene in RAW 264.7 macrophages confirmed the role of this protein tyrosine kinase in CR3-mediated phagocytosis. Together, our data demonstrate that Pyk2 selectively contributes to the coordination of phagocytosis-promoting signals downstream of CR3, but is dispensable for FcγR-mediated phagocytosis.

Immunomodulatory roles and functional analysis of pre-B lymphocyte DT40 cells with the bursal-derived BSP-II treatment

The bursa of Fabricius, the acknowledged central humoral immune organ, is vital to B cell differentiation. However, the regulatory function of the bursal-derived peptide on avian B cell proliferation has not been reported. BSP-II is a recently reported bursal-derived bioactive peptide. In this paper, 75 days-old chicks were twice subcutaneously immunized with BSP-II and inactivated avian influenza virus (AIV, H(9)N(2) strain). It was proved that BSP-II induced a strongly AIV-specific HI antibody production in the immunized chicks. Also, BSP-II could enhance avian pre-B lymphocyte DT40 cell viability. To investigate the global patterns of gene expression in DT40 cells after BSP-II treatment, gene microarray was carried out. It was identified that the differentially expressed genes were involved in various pathways, of which six pathways were associated with signaling transductions, including ErbB signaling, MAPK signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, Notch signaling, mTOR signaling, and Wnt signaling. Finally, RT-qPCR was used to confirm the microarray expression data. These results indicated the molecular basis of pre-B lymphocyte viability with BSP-II treatment, which provided a potential mechanism of the bursa of Fabricius on pre-B lymphocyte viability, differentiation, and development. These results are valid for the mechanism of the bursa of Fabricius on B lymphocytes development.

Cas, Fak and Pyk2 function in diverse signaling cascades to promote Yersinia uptake

The interplay between pathogen-encoded virulence factors and host cell signaling networks is critical for both the establishment and clearance of microbial infections. Yersinia uptake into host cells serves as an in vitro model for exploring how host cells respond to Yersinia adherence. In this study, we provide insight into the molecular nature and regulation of signaling networks that contribute to the uptake process. Using a reconstitution approach in Fak-/- fibroblasts, we have been able to specifically address the interplay between Fak, Cas and Pyk2 in this process. We show that both Fak and Cas play roles in the Yersinia uptake process and that Cas can function in a novel pathway that is independent of Fak. Fak-dependent Yersinia uptake does not appear to involve Cas-Crk signaling. By contrast, Cas-mediated uptake in the absence of Fak requires Crk as well as the protein tyrosine kinases Pyk2 and Src. In spite of these differences, the requirement for Rac1 activity is a common feature of both pathways. Furthermore, blocking the function of either Fak or Cas induces similar morphological defects in Yersinia internalization, which are manifested by incomplete membrane protrusive activity that is consistent with an inhibition of Rac1 activity. Pyk2 also functions in Yersinia uptake by macrophages, which are physiologically important for clearing Yersinia infections. Taken together, these data provide new insight into the host cellular signaling networks that are initiated upon infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis. Importantly, these findings also contribute to a better understanding of other cellular processes that involve actin remodeling, including the host response to other microbial pathogens, cell adhesion and migration.

Induction of PYK-2 phosphorylation during LFA-1/ICAM-1-dependent homotypic adhesion of fresh human B-cells

Stimulation with the combination of PDB plus ionomycin induced LFA-1/ICAM-1-dependent homotypic adhesion of tonsil B cells. Adhesion of tonsil B cells in our system induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk-2. Disruption of homotypic adhesion and concomitant inhibition of induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation was achieved by physical separation of the cells and by treatment with methyl-2.5-dihydroxycinnamate (MDHC), an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. These results suggest that protein tyrosine phosphorylation that is associated with homotypic adhesion is mediated by LFA-1/ICAM-1 interactions.

Adhesion to fibronectin promotes the activation of the p125(FAK)/Zap-70complex in human T cells

The beta1 integrins are a family of heterodimeric adhesion receptors involved in cell-to-cell contacts and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions. Through their adhesive role, integrins participate in transduction of outside/inside signals and contribute to trigger a multitude of cellular events such as differentiation, cell activation, and motility. The fibronectin integrin receptors, alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1, can function as costimulatory molecules in T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent T-cell activation. In the current study the Jurkat T-cell line was used as a model system to investigate the TCR-independent role of cell adhesion to fibronectin in the activation of Zap-70, a central molecule in the signalling events in T cells. Upon adhesion to plastic immobilized fibronectin but not to bovine serum albumin (BSA) the phosphorylation of p125FAK, a protein kinase that localizes to focal adhesion sites, was induced. Moreover, clustering of fibronectin receptors led to the detection of a p125FAK/Zap-70 complex. Finally, while the complex between fak-B, another protein kinase localized to focal adhesion sites, and Zap-70 was detected in cells plated either on BSA or on fibronectin, the formation of the p125FAK/Zap-70 complex appeared specifically induced following fibronectin-mediated integrin clustering. These data suggest the existence of a high degree of specificity when the members of the beta1 integrin family mediate signalling pathways in T cells.

Signaling through focal adhesion kinase

Integrin receptor binding to extracellular matrix proteins generates intracellular signals via enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation events that are important for cell growth, survival, and migration. This review will focus on the functions of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) and its role in linking integrin receptors to intracellular signaling pathways. FAK associates with several different signaling proteins such as Src-family PTKs, p130Cas, Shc, Grb2, PI 3-kinase, and paxillin. This enables FAK to function within a network of integrin-stimulated signaling pathways leading to the activation of targets such as the ERK and JNK/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Focus will be placed on the structural domains and sites of FAK tyrosine phosphorylation important for FAK-mediated signaling events and how these sites are conserved in the FAK-related PTK, Pyk2. We will review what is known about FAK activation by integrin receptor-mediated events and also non-integrin stimuli. In addition, we discuss the emergence of a consensus FAK substrate phosphorylation sequence. Emphasis will also be placed on the role of FAK in generating cell survival signals and the cleavage of FAK during caspase-mediated apoptosis. An in-depth discussion will be presented of integrin-stimulated signaling events occurring in the FAK knockout fibroblasts (FAK-) and how these cells exhibit deficits in cell migration. FAK re-expression in the FAK- cells confirms the role of this PTK in the regulation of cell morphology and in promoting cell migration events. In addition, these results reinforce the potential role for FAK in promoting an invasive phenotype in human tumors.

The interaction of activated integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 with ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 induces activation and redistribution of focal adhesion kinase and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 in T lymphocytes

Integrin receptors play a central role in the biology of lymphocytes, mediating crucial functional aspects of these cells, including adhesion, activation, polarization, migration, and signaling. Here we report that induction of activation of the beta2-integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) in T lymphocytes with divalent cations, phorbol esters, or stimulatory antibodies is followed by a dramatic polarization, resulting in a characteristic elongated morphology of the cells and the arrest of migrating lymphoblasts. This cellular polarization was prevented by treatment of cells with the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Furthermore, the interaction of the activated integrin LFA-1 with its ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 induced the activation of the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK-2). FAK activation reached a maximum after 45 min of stimulation; in contrast, PYK-2 activation peaked at 30 min, declining after 60 min. Upon polarization of lymphoblasts, FAK and PYK-2 redistributed from a diffuse localization in the cytoplasm to a region close to the microtubule-organizing center in these cells. FAK and PYK-2 activation was blocked when lymphoblasts were pretreated with actin and tubulin cytoskeleton-interfering agents, indicating its cytoskeletal dependence. Our results demonstrate that interaction of the beta2-integrin LFA-1 with its ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 induces remodeling of T lymphocyte morphology and activation and redistribution of the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases FAK and PYK-2.

T cell activation induced by novel gain-of-function mutants of Syk and ZAP-70

The Syk family tyrosine kinases play a crucial role in antigen receptor-mediated signal transduction, but their regulation and cellular targets remain incompletely defined. Following receptor engagement, phosphorylation of tyrosine residues within ZAP-70 and Syk is thought to control both kinase activity and recruitment of modulatory factors. We report here the characterization of novel mutants of ZAP-70 and Syk, in which conserved C-terminal tyrosine residues have been replaced by phenylalanines (ZAP YF-C, Syk YF-C). Both mutant kinases display a prominent gain-of-function phenotype in Jurkat T cells, as demonstrated by lymphokine promoter activation, tyrosine phosphorylation of potential targets in vivo, and elevated intracellular calcium mobilization. While the presence of p56-Lck was required for ZAP YF-C-induced signaling, Syk YF-C showed enhanced functional activity in Lck-deficient JCaM1 Jurkat cells. Our results implicate the C terminus of Syk family kinases as an important regulatory region modulating T cell activation.

Interleukin-2 induces beta2-integrin-dependent signal transduction involving the focal adhesion kinase-related protein B (fakB)

beta2 integrin molecules are involved in a multitude of cellular events, including adhesion, migration, and cellular activation. Here, we studied the influence of beta2 integrins on interleukin-2 (IL-2)-mediated signal transduction in human CD4(+) T cell lines obtained from healthy donors and a leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) patient. We show that IL-2 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of a 125-kDa protein and homotypic adhesion in beta2 integrin (CD18)-positive but not in beta2-integrin-negative T cells. EDTA, an inhibitor of integrin adhesion, blocks IL-2-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the 125-kDa protein but not other proteins in beta2-integrin-positive T cells. Likewise, a beta2 integrin (CD18) antibody selectively inhibits induction of the 125-kDa phosphotyrosine protein, whereas cytokine-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of other proteins is largely unaffected. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that the IL-2-induced 125-kDa phosphotyrosine protein is the focal adhesion kinase-related protein B (fakB). Thus, IL-2 induces strong tyrosine phosphorylation of fakB in beta2-integrin-positive but not in beta2-integrin-negative T cells, and CD18 mAb selectively blocks IL-2-induced fakB-tyrosine phosphorylation in beta2-integrin-positive T cells. In parallel experiments, IL-2 does not induce or augment tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK). In conclusion, our data indicate that IL-2 induces beta2-integrin-dependent signal transduction events involving the tyrosine kinase substrate fakB.

Identification of a new Pyk2 isoform implicated in chemokine and antigen receptor signaling

Pyk2 is a protein tyrosine kinase that links G-protein-coupled receptors, inflammatory cytokines, and extracellular stimuli that elevate intracellular calcium concentration with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and regulation of ion channel functions. Here we describe the identification, cloning, and characterization of a new isoform of Pyk2 (Pyk2-H) that is generated by alternative RNA splicing. Pyk2-H is mainly expressed in hematopoietic cells including T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells. Engagement of T-cell or B-cell antigen receptors leads to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2-H. Pyk2-H is also activated in response to the chemokines RANTES and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta in T cells. In addition, we show that glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing the carboxyl termini of Pyk2 and Pyk2-H bind to a different set of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in thymus lysates. Specific expression of Pyk2-H and its activation by antigens or chemokines in hematopoietic cells may contribute toward the generation of cell type-specific signals involved in host immune responses.

Nocodazole inhibits signal transduction by the T cell antigen receptor

The potential role of the cytoskeleton in signaling via the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) was investigated using pharmacological agents. In Jurkat T cells, disruption of the actin-based cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D or disruption of the microtubules with colchicine did not affect TCR induction of proximal signaling events triggered by CD3 mAb. Polymerized actin and tubulin, therefore, were not required for TCR-mediated signal transduction. Nocodazole, however, was found to inhibit dramatically TCR signaling, independently of its ability to depolymerize microtubules. This effect was TCR-specific, because signaling via the human muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 1 in the same cells was unaffected. A mechanism for the inhibition of TCR signaling by nocodazole was suggested by in vitro assays, which revealed that the drug inhibited the kinase activity of LCK and, to a lesser extent, FYN. The kinase activity of ZAP-70 in vitro, however, was unaffected. These results, therefore, suggested that nocodazole prevented initial phosphorylation of the TCR by LCK after stimulation, and as a result, it blocked activation of downstream signaling pathways. Immunofluorescence analyses also revealed that nocodazole and the specific SRC-family kinase inhibitor PP1 delocalized ZAP-70 from its constitutive site at the cell cortex. These effects did not require the SH2 domains of ZAP-70. The localization of ZAP-70 to the cell cortex is, therefore, regulated by the activity of SRC-family kinases, independently of their ability to phosphorylate immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs of the TCR.

T cell receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas-L, a 105-kDa Crk-associated substrate-related protein, and its association of Crk and C3G

Cas-L (pp105), a Crk-associated substrate (p130(Cas))-related protein, was first identified as a 105-kDa protein that is tyrosine-phosphorylated following beta1 integrin cross-linking in T cells. Cas-L contains possible multiple binding sites for the Src homology (SH) 2 domains of various signaling molecules, and appears to be involved in signal transduction through phosphorylated tyrosine-mediated protein-protein interaction. Since Cas-L is preferentially expressed in lymphocytes, it is conceivable that Cas-L plays an important role in lymphocyte-specific signals. Here, we show the involvement of Cas-L in the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 signaling pathway. Cas-L is transiently phosphorylated following CD3 cross-linking, and tyrosine-phosphorylated Cas-L binds to Crk and C3G. Furthermore, a Cas-L mutant that lacks the SH3 domain, the binding site for focal adhesion kinase (FAK), is also tyrosine-phosphorylated upon CD3 cross-linking, but not upon beta1 integrin crosslinking, suggesting that FAK is not involved in CD3-dependent Cas-L phosphorylation. Taken together, the present study indicates a novel signaling pathway mediated by tyrosine-phosphorylated Cas-L upon the TCR/CD3 stimulation.

Reconstitution of high affinity IgE receptor-mediated secretion by transfecting protein tyrosine kinase pp125FAK

To study the role of the focal adhesion tyrosine kinase (FAK) in receptor-mediated secretion, we transfected FAK cDNA into a variant (3B6) of the RBL-2H3 mast cell line. This 3B6 cell line expressed low levels of FAK and was defective in high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) but not Ca2+ ionophore-mediated secretion. FcepsilonRI-mediated secretion was reconstituted after transfection of wild-type FAK. Histamine release was also enhanced by the stable expression of two mutants of FAK: a kinase-inactive form in which the ATP binding site Lys-454 was replaced by Arg or a mutant in which the autophosphorylation site Tyr-397 was replaced by Phe. Therefore, the catalytic activity and the autophosphorylation site of FAK are not essential for secretion. FcepsilonRI aggregation increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of both mutants of FAK to the same extent as wild-type FAK. Therefore, tyrosine kinases activated by FcepsilonRI aggregation are phosphorylating FAK and some of these phosphorylation sites are other than Tyr-397. These results strongly suggest that FAK plays a role in FcepsilonRI-induced secretion by functioning as an adapter or linker molecule.

Relocation of Syk protein-tyrosine kinase to the actin filament network and subsequent association with Fak

Previous studies demonstrated that Syk protein-tyrosine kinase (Syk) is activated by thrombin in platelets. To elucidate the function of Syk in platelets, we have biochemically examined the intracellular location of Syk and the molecules associated with Syk, following platelet activation. In human platelets, thrombin induces the relocation of Syk to the cytoskeletal fraction presumably via Syk tyrosine phosphorylation. Relocated Syk is associated with the actin filament network, and the early phase (10-90 s) of this association can be partially inhibited by the pretreatment of platelets with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization. Upon thrombin stimulation, Syk becomes associated with Fak as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. The association of both kinases can be inhibited by pretreatment of platelets with cytochalasin D. Interestingly, reconstitution experiments, using COS cells transfected with various porcine Syk mutants, revealed that the kinase domain, but not the kinase activity, of Syk is required for the association of Syk with the actin filament network. These findings suggest that thrombin-induced association of Syk with Fak correlates with the state of actin polymerization, and may play an important role in platelet activation.

Requirements for localization of p130cas to focal adhesions

p130cas (Cas) is an adapter protein that has an SH3 domain followed by multiple SH2 binding motifs in the substrate domain. It also contains a tyrosine residue and a proline-rich sequence near the C terminus, which are the binding sites for the SH2 and SH3 domains of Src kinase, respectively. Cas was originally identified as a major tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in v-Crk- and v-Src-transformed cells. Subsequently, Cas was shown to be inducibly tyrosine phosphorylated upon integrin stimulation; it is therefore regarded as one of the focal adhesion proteins. Using an immunofluorescence study, we examined the subcellular localization of Cas and determined the regions required for its localization to focal adhesions. In nontransformed cells, Cas was localized predominantly to the cytoplasm and partially to focal adhesions. However, in 527F-c-Src-transformed cells, Cas was localized mainly to podosomes, where the focal adhesion proteins are assembled. The localization of Cas to focal adhesions was also observed in cells expressing the kinase-negative 527F/295M-c-Src. A series of analyses with deletion mutants expressed in various cells revealed that the SH3 domain of Cas is necessary for its localization to focal adhesions in nontransformed cells while both the SH3 domain and the C-terminal Src binding domain of Cas are required in 527F-c-Src-transformed cells and fibronectin-stimulated cells. In addition, the localization of Cas to focal adhesions was abolished in Src-negative cells. These results demonstrate that the SH3 domain of Cas and the association of Cas with Src kinase play a pivotal role in the localization of Cas to focal adhesions.

ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase is constitutively targeted to the T cell cortex independently of its SH2 domains

ZAP-70 is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase that is essential for signaling via the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). ZAP-70 becomes phosphorylated and activated by LCK protein tyrosine kinase after interaction of its two NH2-terminal SH2 domains with tyrosine-phosphorylated subunits of the activated TCR. In this study, the localization of ZAP-70 was investigated by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. ZAP-70 was found to be localized to the cell cortex in a diffuse band under the plasma membrane in unstimulated T cells, and this localization was not detectably altered by TCR stimulation. Analysis of mutants indicated that ZAP-70 targeting was independent of its SH2 domains but required its active kinase domain. The specific compartmentalization of ZAP-70 suggests that it may interact with an anchoring protein in the cell cortex via its hinge or kinase domains. It is likely that the maintenance of high concentrations of ZAP-70 at the cell cortex, that only has to move a short distance to interact with phophorylated TCR subunits, facilitates rapid initiation of signaling by the TCR. In addition, as the major increase in tyrosine phosphorylation induced by the TCR also occurs at the cell cortex (Ley, S.C., M. Marsh, C.R. Bebbington, K. Proudfoot, and P. Jordan. 1994. J. Cell. Biol. 125:639-649), ZAP-70 may be localized close to its downstream targets.

Focal Adhesion Kinase Upregulated by Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor But Not by Interleukin-3 in Differentiating Myeloid Cells

The involvement of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in myeloid differentiation was investigated in primary murine bone marrow (BM) cells. In unstimulated BM, FAK mRNA was detected in myeloid and lymphoid cells, but not in erythroid precursors. When the BM cells were incubated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF ) or interleukin-3 (IL-3), FAK expression showed a remarkable difference depending on the cytokine. Although FAK was upregulated in the cells stimulated by GM-CSF (GM-treated cells), the kinase was barely detectable in the cells cultured with IL-3 (IL-3–treated cells). Morphology and flow cytometry analysis showed GM-CSF promoted the growth and differentiation of monocyte/macrophage lineage stronger than IL-3. In addition, motility of the cytokine-differentiated cells showed an overt distinction between the cultures, which was closely correlated with FAK expression. After 7 days of stimulation, GM-treated cells showed active migration and chemoattractant-induced morphologic polarization. In contrast, IL-3–treated cells showed minimal migration and polarization. These results suggest an important role of GM-CSF in the terminal differentiation of monocytes/macrophages, and possible involvement of FAK in functional maturity of this lineage.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase in megakaryocytes upon stem cell factor and phorbol myristate acetate stimulation and its association with paxillin

We have characterized signaling pathways involving the related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK, also known as PYK2 or CAK-beta) in CMK human megakaryocytic cells. Stem cell factor, which potentiates the growth of megakaryocytes and their progenitors, and phorbol myristate acetate, which causes differentiation of megakaryocytic cell lines, induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK but not of focal adhesion kinase. Stimulation of CMK cells with stem cell factor resulted in an increase in the autophosphorylation and kinase activity of RAFTK. Phosphorylation of RAFTK under these conditions was mediated by a protein kinase C-dependent pathway. Cytochalasin D, which disrupts the cytoskeleton, abolished the phosphorylation of RAFTK upon phorbol myristate acetate and stem cell factor stimulation, indicating that RAFTK association with the actin cytoskeleton appears to be critical for its phosphorylation. In addition, we observed an association of RAFTK with paxillin, a 68-kDa cytoskeleton protein. Using in vitro binding assays, RAFTK and paxillin were shown to bind directly through the C-terminal proline-rich domain. Transient overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of RAFTK inhibited significantly the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin upon phorbol myristate acetate stimulation. These observations indicate that RAFTK might play an important role in the phosphorylation of signaling pathways within the focal adhesions and that RAFTK participates in signaling events that link signals from the cell surface to the cytoskeleton. Furthermore, this study suggests that RAFTK might be involved in megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation.

RAFTK, a novel member of the focal adhesion kinase family, is phosphorylated and associates with signaling molecules upon activation of mature T lymphocytes

The related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK), a recently discovered member of the focal adhesion kinase family, has previously been reported to participate in signal transduction in neuronal cells, megakaryocytes, and B lymphocytes. We have found that RAFTK is constitutively expressed in human T cells and is rapidly phosphorylated upon the activation of the T cell receptor (TCR). This activation also results in an increase in the autophosphorylation and kinase activity of RAFTK. After its stimulation, there was an increase in the association of the src cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase Fyn and the adapter protein Grb2. This association was mediated through the SH2 domains of Fyn and Grb2. RAFTK also co-immunoprecipitates with the SH2 domain of Lck and with the cytoskeletal protein paxillin through its COOH-terminal proline-rich domain. The tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK after T cell receptor-mediated stimulation was reduced by the pretreatment of cells with cytochalasin D, suggesting the role of the cytoskeleton in this process. These observations indicate that RAFTK participates in T cell receptor signaling and may act to link signals from the cell surface to the cytoskeleton and thereby affect the host immune response.

The related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase forms a complex with paxillin in hematopoietic cells

Related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK), also known as proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 and cellular adhesion kinase beta, has been recently cloned and characterized as a member of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) subfamily. RAFTK has an overall 48% amino acid homology to p125(FAK) and contains a kinase domain but lacks a transmembrane region, myristylation sites, and Src homology region 2 and 3 domains. By Northern blot analysis, RAFTK is expressed in myeloid, lymphoid, and megakaryocytic hematopoietic cells. Like p125(FAK), we found that RAFTK interacts with the focal adhesion protein paxillin. In the lymphoid cell line BaF3 and the myeloid cell line 32Dcl3, RAFTK coprecipitates with paxillin. Using in vitro binding assays, RAFTK and paxillin were shown to bind directly, through a segment of paxillin that required amino acids 100-227 and a domain in the C terminus of RAFTK. In vitro, RAFTK could phosphorylate paxillin on tyrosine residues. These results suggest that RAFTK, as well as p125(FAK), may be important in phosphotyrosine-signaling events within the focal adhesion.

RANTES induces tyrosine kinase activity of stably complexed p125FAK and ZAP-70 in human T cells

The chemokine RANTES is a chemoattractant and activating factor for T lymphocytes. Investigation of the signal transduction mechanisms induced by RANTES in T cells revealed tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple protein species with prominent bands at 70-85 and 120-130 kD. Immunoprecipitation and Western analyses revealed that a protein of 125 kD was identical to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pp125FAK. RANTES stimulated phosphorylation of FAK as early as 30 seconds and immunoblots using antiphosphotyrosine monoclonal antibodies revealed that there was consistent phosphorylation of a 68-70 kD species in the pp125FAK immunoprecipitates. Immunoblotting and kinase assays showed this to be two separate proteins, the tyrosine kinase zeta-associated protein (ZAP) 70, and the focal adhesion protein paxillin. These results indicate a potentially important role for RANTES in the generation of T cell focal adhesions and subsequent cell activation via a molecular complex containing FAK, ZAP-70, and paxillin.

Regulation of antigen receptor signal transduction by protein tyrosine kinases

The past two years have seen further clarification of the early events occurring in antigen receptor signal transduction that are mediated by the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). The ITAM was shown to be a specific binding site for the ZAP-70/Syk protein tyrosine kinases and the structure of this complex was solved. In addition, possible mechanisms of activation and functions for these kinases were reported. Lastly, genetic studies established the critical importance of these kinases in antigen-receptor signaling and lymphocyte development.

A mechanism for regulation of the adhesion-associated proteintyrosine kinase pp125FAK

Focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) is a member of a growing family of structurally distinct protein tyrosine kinases that includes the recently identified FakB and PYK2/CAKbeta/RAFTK. Activation of pp125FAK has been functionally linked to the formation of focal adhesions, integrin-mediated sites of contact between the cell and the extracellular matrix. The carboxy-terminal domain of pp125FAK is also expressed as a separate protein called pp41/43FRNK (where FRNK represents pp125FAK-related non-kinase). Here we show that pp41/43FRNK acts as an inhibitor of pp125FAK by transiently blocking the formation of focal adhesions on fibronectin and constitutively reducing tyrosine phosphorylation of both pp125FAK and two focal adhesion proteins, tensin and paxillin. These inhibitory effects of pp41/43FRNK are reversed by co-expression of pp125FAK, suggesting that pp125FAK and pp41/43 FRNK compete for a common binding protein(s) whose association with pp125FAK is necessary for signalling by pp125FAK. We propose that pp41/43FRNK functions as an endogenous regulator of pp125FAK, thus providing an unusual means to regulate both tyrosine kinase activity and cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix.

T-lymphocyte interactions with endothelium and extracellular matrix

T-lymphocyte movement out of the bloodstream and into tissue is critical to the success of these cells in their role in immunosurveillance. This process involves interactions of the T-cell with endothelium as well as with extracellular matrix. Central to these interactions are a number of T-cell adhesion molecules and their endothelial and extracellular matrix ligands. The identification and functional characterization of adhesion molecules have been the subject of intensive research in recent years. We highlight here the latest developments in this rapidly expanding field as they pertain to T-cell interactions with endothelial cells and extracellular matrix components, including: (1) identification of adhesion molecule families, including the selectins, mucins, integrins, immunoglobulin superfamily members, and cadherins; (2) elucidation of the multi-step adhesion cascade that mediates the rolling, arrest, and eventual diapedesis of T-cells through the vascular endothelium into the surrounding tissue; (3) the changes in adhesion molecule expression that accompany T-cell maturation and activation, and the impact of those changes on T-cell migration; (4) the functional relevance of the extracellular matrix for T-cell function; and (5) the clinical relevance of adhesion molecules and the potential for targeting these molecules for the amelioration of immune-mediated diseases.

Association of tyrosine protein kinase Zap-70 with the protooncogene product p120c-cbl in T lymphocytes

Accumulating data show that the tyrosine protein kinase Zap-70 plays an essential role in T cell receptor-mediated signal transduction. However, the model of action, as well as the physiologically relevant substrates of Zap-70, have not been determined. We have attempted to identify a 120-kD tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p120) that associates with Zap-70 in activated T lymphocytes. The results of our analyses showed that p120 is largely encoded by the c-cbl protooncogene. Furthermore, the association of Zap-70 with c-Cbl was shown to be induced by T cell receptor stimulation, implying that it required posttranslational modification of one or both of these products. FynT, but not Lck, also associated with c-Cbl in activated T cells. Finally, using a heterologous system, it was demonstrated that the ability of Zap-70 to cause tyrosine phosphorylation of p120c-cbl was dependent on Lck- or FynT-mediated signals. As c-Cbl can associate with several other signaling molecules, it may couple Zap-70 to downstream effectors during T cell activation.

T cell receptor- and beta 1 integrin-mediated signals synergize to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) in human T cells

The beta 1 subfamily of integrins is thought to play an important role in both the adhesion/migration and proliferation/differentiation of T cells. beta 1 integrins can provide T cell costimulation through interaction of very late antigen (VLA) 4 (VLA-4) (alpha 4 beta 1) and VLA-5 (alpha 5 beta 1) with the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN), or by VLA-4 binding to its cell surface ligand, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) 1. The mechanism by which beta 1 integrin members transduce T cell-costimulatory signals is poorly understood. Studies in non-T cells have demonstrated regulation of the tyrosine focal adhesion kinase pp125FAK by beta 1 integrin engagement and, most recently, indicate a role for pp125FAK in linking integrin-mediated signal transduction to the Ras pathway (Schaller, M. D., and J. T. Parsons, 1994, Curr. Opin. Cell. Biol. 6: 705-710; Schlaepfer, D. D., S. K. Hanks, T. Hunter, and P. Van der Geer. 1994. Nature (Lond.), 372:786-790). Although pp125FAK kinase occurs in T cells, there are no reports on its regulation in this cell type. The studies described in this article characterize novel regulation of pp125FAK by the T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 antigen complex and beta 1 integrins, and provide the first account, in any cell type, of integrin alpha 4 beta 1-mediated pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. We demonstrate a rapid and sustained synergistic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of human pp125FAK in Jurkat T cells after simultaneous (a) triggering of the TCR-CD3 complex, and (b) alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1 integrin-mediated binding of these cells to immobilized FN or alpha 4 beta 1 integrin-mediated binding to immobilized VCAM-1. Studies with normal peripheral blood-derived CD4+ human T blasts confirm the synergistic action of a TCR-CD3 complex-mediated costimulus with a FN- or VCAM-1-dependent signal in the induction of T cell pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. In vitro kinase assays performed on pp125FAK immunoprecipitates isolated from Jurkat cells and normal CD4+ T cells identified a coprecipitating 57-kD tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (pp57), distinct from pp59fyn or pp56lck. These results indicate, for the first time, the involvement of a specific kinase, pp125FAK, in alpha 4 beta 1- and alpha 5 beta 1-mediated T cell-costimulatory signaling pathways. In addition, the data demonstrate novel regulation of pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation by the TCR-CD3 complex.

Identification and characterization of a novel related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK) from megakaryocytes and brain

We have isolated a cDNA encoding a novel human intracytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, termed RAFTK (for a related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase). In addition, we have cloned and characterized the murine homolog of the human RAFTK cDNA. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of human RAFTK and murine Raftk cDNAs revealed 95% homology, indicating that RAFTK is highly conserved between these species. The RAFTK cDNA clone, encoding a polypeptide of 1009 amino acids, has closest homology (48% identity, 65% similarity) to the focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK). Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences also indicates that RAFTK, like pp125FAK, lacks a transmembrane region, myristylation sites, and SH2 and SH3 domains. In addition, like pp125FAK, RAFTK contains a kinase domain flanked by large N-terminal (426 residues) and C-terminal (331 residues) domains, and the C-terminal region contains a predicted proline-rich stretch of residues. In fetal tissues, RAFTK expression was abundant in brain, and low levels were observed in lung and liver. In adult tissues, it was less restricted, indicating that RAFTK expression is developmentally up-regulated. Expression of RAFTK was also observed in human CD34+ marrow cells, primary bone marrow megakaryocytes, platelets, and various areas of brain. The human RAFTK gene was assigned to human chromosome 8 using genomic DNAs from human/rodent somatic cell hybrid lines. The mouse Raftk gene was mapped to chromosome 14, closely linked to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Using specific antibodies for RAFTK, a approximately 123-kDa protein from the human megakaryocytic CMK cell line was immunoprecipitated. Treatment of the megakaryocytic CMK cells with thrombin caused a rapid induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of RAFTK protein. The structural features of RAFTK suggest that it is a member of the focal adhesion kinase gene family and may participate in signal transduction in human megakaryocytes and brain as well as in other cell types.

Reduced cell motility and enhanced focal adhesion contact formation in cells from FAK-deficient mice

The intracellular protein tyrosine kinase FAK (focal adhesion kinase) was originally identified gy its high level of tyrosine phosphorylation in v-src-transformed cells. FAK is also highly phosphorylated during early development. In cultured cells it is localized to focal adhesion contacts and becomes phosphorylated and activated in response to integrin-mediated binding of cells to the extracellular matrix, suggesting an important role in cell adhesion and/or migration. We have generated FAK-deficient mice by gene targeting to examine the role of FAK during development. Mutant embryos displayed a general defect of mesoderm development, and cells from these embryos had reduced mobility in vitro. Surprisingly, the number of focal adhesions was increased in FAK-deficient cells, suggesting that FAK may be involved in the turnover of focal adhesion contacts during cell migration.

The alpha 6A beta 1 and alpha 6B beta 1 integrin variants signal differences in the tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin and other proteins

Integrin receptors can mediate transmembrane signaling in response to ligand binding. To further examine the role of the integrin alpha subunit in these signaling functions, we assessed the contribution of the alpha 6 cytoplasmic domain variants to the signaling properties of the alpha 6 beta 1 integrin using P388D1 cells that had been transfected with either the alpha 6A or the alpha 6B cDNA. The alpha 6A beta 1 and alpha 6B beta 1 receptors induced marked quantitative differences in the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins after binding to laminin. Specifically, the alpha 6A cytoplasmic domain was more effective than the alpha 6B cytoplasmic domain in inducing the tyrosine phosphorylation of three major proteins (molecular mass, 120, 110, and 76 kDa). In addition to these proteins, we also observed that the tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein paxillin was increased significantly more by alpha 6A beta 1 integrin-mediated adhesion to laminin than by that of alpha 6B beta 1. This differential pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation induction does not appear to be a secondary event initiated by cell shape changes. Also, differences in tyrosine phosphorylation in the alpha 6 transfectants were not evident in response to attachment to other substrates. These findings provide biochemical evidence for functional differences between alpha subunit cytoplasmic domain variants of the same integrin.

Cloning and characterization of cell adhesion kinase beta, a novel protein-tyrosine kinase of the focal adhesion kinase subfamily

A second protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) subfamily, cell adhesion kinase beta (CAK beta), was identified by cDNA cloning. The rat CAK beta is a 115.7-kDa PTK that contains N- and C-terminal domains of 418 and 330 amino acid residues besides the central kinase domain. The rat CAK beta has a homology with mouse FAK over their entire lengths except for the extreme N-terminal 88 residues and shares 45% overall sequence identity (60% identical in the catalytic domain), which indicates that CAK beta is a protein structurally related to but different from FAK. The CAK beta gene is less evenly expressed in a variety of rat organs than the FAK gene. Anti-CAK beta antibody immunoprecipitated a 113-kDa protein from rat brain, 3Y1 fibroblasts, and COS-7 cells transfected with CAK beta cDNA. The tyrosine-phosphorylated state of CAK beta was not reduced on trypsinization, nor enhanced in response to plating 3Y1 cells onto fibronectin. CAK beta localized to sites of cell-to-cell contact in COS-7 transfected with CAK beta cDNA, in which FAK was found at the bottom of the cells. Thus, CAK beta is a PTK possibly participating in the signal transduction regulated by cell-to-cell contacts.

ZAP-70 and p72syk are signaling response elements through MHC class II molecules

Ligation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens expressed on antigen-activated human CD4+ T-lymphocytes induces early signal transduction events including the activation of tyrosine kinases, the tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase-C gamma 1 and the mobilization of intracellular calcium. Similar responses have been observed in B-cells following stimulation of MHC class II molecules, including the increased production of intracellular cAMP. In this report, we demonstrate that the ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase is a responsive signaling element following cross-linking of HLA-DR in class II+ T-cells, and that the homologous tyrosine kinase p72syk is stimulated in B-cells following ligation of class II antigens. Antibody mediated co-ligation of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR/CD3) with class II molecules resulted in augmented tyrosine phosphorylation of ZAP-70. Comparable to antibody induced receptor ligation, bacterial superantigen (SEA and SEB) treatment of HLA-DR+ T-cells stimulated ZAP-70 tyrosine phosphorylation, consistent with class II transmembrane signaling by ligation of HLA-DR and V beta in cis. Modulation of the TCR/CD3 led to abrogation of class II induced ZAP-70 tyrosine phosphorylation, but did not result in sequestering of ZAP-70 from the cellular cytoplasm. Hyperphosphorylated ZAP-70 was associated with TCR/CD3 zeta-chain following cross-linking of HLA-DR, suggesting a mechanism for the TCR/CD3-dependence of class II induced signals in alloantigen-activated human T-cells. In both tonsillar B-lymphocytes and B-cell leukemia lines, p72syk was rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues following HLA-DR cross-linking. Tyrosine phosphorylation of p72syk induced through ligation of either the B-cell antigen receptor or class II molecules was potently inhibited by herbimycin A. MHC class II ligation on B-lymphocytes resulted in cell death, which was both qualitatively distinct from Fas-induced apoptosis and partially protected by herbimycin A pretreatment. Thus, ligation of MHC class II molecules expressed on human lymphocytes stimulates the ZAP-70/p72syk family of tyrosine kinases, leading functionally to a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway of receptor-induced cell death.

Ligation of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) induces association of hSos1, ZAP-70, phospholipase C-gamma 1, and other phosphoproteins with Grb2 and the zeta-chain of the TCR

Signaling by the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) involves both phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 1 and p21ras activation. While failing to induce Shc/Grb2 association, ligation of the TCR/CD3 receptor in Jurkat T-cells induced hSos1-Grb2 complexes. In addition to hSos1, Grb2 participates in the formation of a tyrosine phosphoprotein complex that includes 145-, 95-, 70-, 54-, and 36-38-kDa proteins. p145 was identified as PLC-gamma 1 and p70 as the protein tyrosine kinase, ZAP-70. Although of the same molecular weight, p95 was not recognized by an anti-serum to p95 Vav. The SH2 domains of Grb2 and PLC-gamma 1 were required for the formation of this protein complex. In anti-CD3-treated cells, Grb2 redistributed from the cytosol to a particulate cell compartment along with p36/p38, ZAP-70, and PLC-gamma 1. Part of the Grb2 complex associated with the particulate compartment could be extracted with Nonidet P-40, while the rest was Nonidet P-40 insoluble. In both the detergent-soluble and -insoluble fractions, Grb2 coimmunoprecipitated with the zeta-chain of the TCR. Taken together, these results indicate that anti-CD3 induces Grb2-hSos1-PLC-gamma 1-p36/p38-ZAP70 complexes, which localize in the vicinity of TCR-zeta.

The activation state of the integrin alpha IIb beta 3 affects outside-in signals leading to cell spreading and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation

Integrins bind extracellular matrix and transduce signals mediating cell adhesion, spreading, and migration. It is unclear how these distinct responses follow from a common event: integrin clustering. We examined the relationship between integrin-mediated signals and the integrin's activation state using a cell line expressing alpha IIb beta 3 (Clone B) and a panel of monoclonal antibodies against this integrin. Non-activating antibodies used to cluster alpha IIb beta 3 stimulated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, regardless of affinity, subunit specificity, or ligand-blocking phenotype. Coated on plastic, these antibodies supported cell adhesion, spreading, and FAK phosphorylation. In contrast, clustering of alpha IIb beta 3 induced with activating antibodies, or binding of soluble fibrinogen to antibody-activated alpha IIb beta 3, did not induce FAK phosphorylation. Thus, clustering of alpha IIb beta 3 on Clone B does not necessarily result in FAK phosphorylation. Coated on plastic, activating antibodies supported cell adhesion, but not spreading or FAK phosphorylation. Therefore, it appears the resting, not the active form of alpha IIb beta 3, induces cell spreading and FAK phosphorylation in Clone B. These data indicate that "inside-out" signals may alter not only the binding specificity of an integrin, but the "outside-in" biochemical signals that integrin initiates as well. This activation state-linked signaling represents a novel mechanism, which may explain how diverse cellular responses are induced by integrin-matrix interactions.

A role for CD5 in TCR-mediated signal transduction and thymocyte selection

CD5 is a transmembrane protein that is expressed on the surface of T cells and a subset of B cells. The absence of CD5 rendered thymocytes hyperresponsive to stimulation through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) in vitro. Selection of T cells expressing three distinct transgenic TCRs was also abnormal in CD5-deficient mice. These observations indicate that CD5 can influence the fate of developing thymocytes by acting as a negative regulator of TCR-mediated signal transduction.

Activation of ZAP-70 kinase activity by phosphorylation of tyrosine 493 is required for lymphocyte antigen receptor function

ZAP-70 is a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) required for T-cell development and T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) function. ZAP-70 is associated with the phosphorylated antigen receptor and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation following receptor activation. We demonstrate here that tyrosine phosphorylation of ZAP-70 results in an increase in its catalytic activity and that this activation is mediated by the phosphorylation of tyrosine residue 493 by the src family of PTKs. The activity of baculoviral expressed ZAP-70 was up-regulated 10-fold when ZAP-70 was co-infected and phosphorylated by the src family PTK, lck. Mutation of Y493 alone abrogated the ability of ZAP-70 to be activated by lck. Moreover, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of Y493 and activation of ZAP-70 is required for antigen receptor-mediated induction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion in lymphocytes.

Binding of ZAP-70 to phosphorylated T-cell receptor zeta and eta enhances its autophosphorylation and generates specific binding sites for SH2 domain-containing proteins

ZAP-70 is a protein tyrosine kinase thought to play a critical role in T-cell receptor (TCR) signal transduction. During T-cell activation, ZAP-70 binds to a conserved signalling motif known as the immune receptor tyrosine activating motif (ITAM) and becomes tyrosine phosphorylated. To determine whether binding of ZAP-70 to the phosphorylated ITAM was able to activate its kinase activity, we measured the kinase activity of ZAP-70 both when it was bound and when it was unbound to phosphorylated TCR subunits. The ability of ZAP-70 to phosphorylate itself, but not exogenous substrates, was enhanced when it was bound to the tyrosine-phosphorylated TCR zeta and eta chains or to a construct that contained duplicated epsilon ITAMs. No enhanced ZAP-70 autophosphorylation was noted when it was bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated CD3 gamma or epsilon. In addition, autophosphorylation of ZAP-70 when bound to zeta or eta resulted in the generation of multiple distinct ZAP-70 phosphorylated tyrosine residues which had the capacity to bind the SH2 domains of fyn, lck, GAP, and abl. As the effect was noted only when ZAP-70 was bound to TCR subunits containing multiple ITAMs, we propose that one of the roles of the tandem ITAMs is to facilitate the autophosphorylation of ZAP-70. Tyrosine-phosphorylated ZAP-70 then mediates downstream signalling by recruiting SH2 domain-containing signalling proteins.

Identification of Tyr-397 as the primary site of tyrosine phosphorylation and pp60src association in the focal adhesion kinase, pp125FAK

A number of cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and transformation, are regulated by cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Previous studies have identified a novel tyrosine kinase, the focal adhesion kinase p125FAK, as a component of cell adhesion plaques. p125FAK was identified as a 125-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein in cells transformed by the v-src oncogene. p125FAK is an intracellular protein composed of three domains: a central domain with homology to protein tyrosine kinases, flanked by two noncatalytic domains of 400 amino acids which bear no significant homology to previously cloned proteins. p125FAK is believed to play an important regulatory role in cell adhesion because it localizes to cell adhesion plaques and because its phosphorylation on tyrosine residues is regulated by binding of cell surface integrins to the extracellular matrix. Recent studies have shown that Src, through its SH2 domain, stably associates with pp125FAK and that this association prevents dephosphorylation of pp125FAK in vitro by protein tyrosine phosphatases. In this report, we identify Tyr-397 as the primary in vivo and in vitro site of p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and association with Src. Substituting phenylalanine for tyrosine at position 397 significantly reduces p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and association with Src but does not abolish p125FAK kinase activity. In addition, p125FAK kinase is able to trans-phosphorylate Tyr-397 in vitro in a kinase-deficient p125FAK variant. Phosphorylation of Tyr-397 provides a site [Y(P)AEI] that fits the consensus sequence for the binding of Src.