The growth factor IL-2 activates p21ras proteins in normal human T lymphocytes

J Immunol. 1992 Apr 15;148(8):2417-22.

Abstract

The T cell growth factor IL-2 induces T cell progression through the cell cycle and ultimately controls T cell mitosis. Here we show that the guanine nucleotide-binding proteins p21ras may be involved in IL-2 signal transduction pathways. IL-2 causes a rapid and prolonged activation of p21ras in both murine and human T cells. The concentration-dependence of IL-2-mediated stimulation of p21ras correlated with IL-2 stimulation of T cell proliferation, which indicates that p21ras activity can be controlled by signals generated via the interaction between IL-2 and its high affinity cellular receptor. These results suggest that p21ras may play a role in the regulation of T cell growth by IL-2.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / physiology
  • CD3 Complex
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA / biosynthesis
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / physiology
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / analysis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / physiology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / physiology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD3 Complex
  • Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • DNA
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • HRAS protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)