The EMT/ITK/TSK (EMT) tyrosine kinase is activated during TCR signaling: LCK is required for optimal activation of EMT

Spencer Gibson, Avery August, Yuko Kawakami, Toshiaki Kawakami, Bo Dupont, Gordon B. Mills

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus citations

Abstract

Functional T lymphocyte activation requires concurrent stimulation of the TCR complex and an accessory molecule, most frequently CD28. We have previously demonstrated that the TEC family tyrosine kinase EMT/ITK/TSK (EMT) is activated following cross-linking of CD28. We demonstrate herein that cross-linking of the CD3 component of the TCR complex also leads to EMT activation as indicated by a rapid and transient increase in EMT tyrosine phosphorylation and kinase activity in anti-EMT immunoprecipitates. However, although concurrent cross-linking of the TCR and CD28 results in a marked increase in production of the T cell growth factor IL-2, it does not result in a significant alteration in the magnitude or duration of EMT activation. Somatic cell mutants of the Jurkat T cell line, which lack the SRC family kinase LCK (JCaM1.6), fail to produce IL-2 when stimulated through the TCR complex. EMT activation, as evidenced by increased EMT tyrosine phosphorylation and EMT-associated kinase activity, was also greatly reduced following stimulation of the TCR in the JCaM1.6 Jurkat T cell mutants that lack LCK. In support of a role for LCK in EMT activation, reconstitution of the LCK-negative Jurkat T cell line by enforced expression of LCK restored TCR-mediated EMT activation. Taken together, the data indicate that the EMT tyrosine kinase is activated following cross-linking of the TCR, a process in which LCK likely plays an important role.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2716-2722
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume156
Issue number8
StatePublished - Apr 15 1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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