Rho prevents apoptosis through Bcl-2 expression: implications for interleukin-2 receptor signal transduction

Eur J Immunol. 1997 Nov;27(11):2793-9. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830271108.

Abstract

Here we describe a Rho-mediated apoptosis suppression pathway driven by Bcl-2 expression in the interleukin (IL)-4- or IL-2-dependent murine T cell line TS1 alpha beta. IL-2, but not IL-4, induces Bcl-2 expression through RhoA activation which is inhibited by the specific Rho family inhibitor, Clostridium difficile Toxin B, as well as by a dominant negative RhoA mutant. Using transient transfections of RhoA mutants tagged with the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein, we show that a constitutively active RhoA mutant induces Bcl-2 expression and prevents apoptosis upon IL-4 withdrawal. Finally, we have identified the signaling pathway involved together with RhoA in Bcl-2 induction and show compelling evidence for the implication of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / deficiency
  • Mice
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / drug effects
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Transfection / immunology
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein