Adaptor SKAP-55 binds p21 activating exchange factor RasGRP1 and negatively regulates the p21-ERK pathway in T-cells

PLoS One. 2008 Mar 5;3(3):e1718. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001718.

Abstract

While the adaptor SKAP-55 mediates LFA-1 adhesion on T-cells, it is not known whether the adaptor regulates other aspects of signaling. SKAP-55 could potentially act as a node to coordinate the modulation of adhesion with downstream signaling. In this regard, the GTPase p21(ras) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway play central roles in T-cell function. In this study, we report that SKAP-55 has opposing effects on adhesion and the activation of the p21(ras) -ERK pathway in T-cells. SKAP-55 deficient primary T-cells showed a defect in LFA-1 adhesion concurrent with the hyper-activation of the ERK pathway relative to wild-type cells. RNAi knock down (KD) of SKAP-55 in T-cell lines also showed an increase in p21(ras) activation, while over-expression of SKAP-55 inhibited activation of ERK and its transcriptional target ELK. Three observations implicated the p21(ras) activating exchange factor RasGRP1 in the process. Firstly, SKAP-55 bound to RasGRP1 via its C-terminus, while secondly, the loss of binding abrogated SKAP-55 inhibition of ERK and ELK activation. Thirdly, SKAP-55-/- primary T-cells showed an increased presence of RasGRP1 in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) following TCR activation, the site where p21(ras) becomes activated. Our findings indicate that SKAP-55 has a dual role in regulating p21(ras)-ERK pathway via RasGRP1, as a possible mechanism to restrict activation during T-cell adhesion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / genetics
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Immunoblotting
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1 / genetics*
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1 / metabolism
  • trans-Golgi Network

Substances

  • Elk1 protein, mouse
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Rasgrp1 protein, mouse
  • SKAP55 protein, mouse
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)