Abstract
Pre-T cell antigen receptor (pre-TCR) signaling plays a crucial role in the development of immature T cells. Although certain aspects of proximal pre-TCR signaling have been studied, the intermediate signal transducers and the distal transcription modulators have been poorly characterized. We report here a correlation between pre-TCR signaling and a biphasic rise in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. In addition, we show that constitutive pre-TCR signaling is associated with an increased rate of Ca2+ influx through store-operated plasma membrane Ca2+ channels. We show also that the biphasic nature of the observed pre-TCR-induced rise in cytosolic Ca2+ differentially modulates the activities of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and NFAT in developing T cells.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Calcium Signaling*
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Cell Differentiation
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology*
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Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism
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Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Mutant Strains
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Models, Genetic
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Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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NF-kappa B / metabolism*
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NFATC Transcription Factors
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Nuclear Proteins*
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
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Selection, Genetic
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Signal Transduction
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T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Thymus Gland / cytology
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Thymus Gland / immunology
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Transcription Factors / metabolism*
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Immediate-Early Proteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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NF-kappa B
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NFATC Transcription Factors
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Nuclear Proteins
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Rag2 protein, mouse
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
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Transcription Factors
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V(D)J recombination activating protein 2
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pre-T cell receptor alpha
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GEM protein, human
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Gem protein, mouse
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Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins