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

J Leukoc Biol. 2008 Oct;84(4):1192-201. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0208084. Epub 2008 Jul 23.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • L-Selectin / physiology*
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck) / physiology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphotyrosine / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids / pharmacology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids
  • L-Selectin
  • Phosphotyrosine
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)