Regulation of the tyrosine kinase Itk by the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase cyclophilin A

Abstract

Interleukin-2 tyrosine kinase (Itk) is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase of the Tec family that participates in the intracellular signaling events leading to T cell activation. Tec family members contain the conserved SH3, SH2, and catalytic domains common to many kinase families, but they are distinguished by unique sequences outside of this region. The mechanism by which Itk and related Tec kinases are regulated is not well understood. Our studies indicate that Itk catalytic activity is inhibited by the peptidyl prolyl isomerase activity of cyclophilin A (CypA). NMR structural studies combined with mutational analysis show that a prolinedependent conformational switch within the Itk SH2 domain regulates substrate recognition and mediates regulatory interactions with the active site of CypA. CypA and Itk form a stable complex in Jurkat T cells that is disrupted by treatment with cyclosporin A. Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of Itk and a downstream substrate of Itk, PLC␥1, are increased in Jurkat T cells that have been treated with cyclosporin A. These findings support a novel mode of tyrosine kinase regulation for a Tec family member and provide a molecular basis for understanding a cellular function of the ubiquitous peptidyl prolyl isomerase, CypA.N ormal cell growth depends on the precise control of protein tyrosine kinase activity (1). For certain families of kinases, the mechanism of catalytic regulation is well understood. Structures of Src tyrosine kinases (2, 3) reveal intramolecular interactions mediated by the Src homology 2 (SH2) and Src homology 3 (SH3) domains that control catalytic activity of the neighboring kinase domain. Specifically, distortion of the Src kinase active site is achieved in part by SH2 binding to a phosphorylated tyrosine residue in the C-terminal tail of Src (4). For other families of kinases, the mechanistic details of catalytic regulation remain elusive. In particular, the Tec family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases (5) displays distinguishing characteristics that point to an alternative mode of regulation. The Tec family kinases modulate hematopoietic cellular responses to external stimuli (6). The T cell-specific Tec family member, interleukin-2 tyrosine kinase (Itk) (7,8), plays a role in the maturation of thymocytes, is required for intracellular signaling following T cell receptor (TCR) crosslinking, and is involved in generation of second messengers that mediate cytoskeletal reorganization (9). Itk is homologous to Src in the region spanning the SH3, SH2, and kinase domain but lacks the Src C-terminal tail that contains the regulatory tyrosine. However, activation of Itk depends on SH2-mediated interactions with phosphorylated signaling partners (9) such as Slp-76 (10) and LAT (11), suggesting a regulatory role for the Itk SH2 domain despite the absence of a Src-like C-terminal regulatory tyrosine residue.The Src regulatory mechanism highlights the role of molecular switches in controlling cellular signaling pathways. Well studied covalent modifications such as...

Molecular cloning and characterization of two isoforms of cyclophilin A gene from Venerupis philippinarum

“…Due to their PPIase activity, Cyps carry out a wide range of functions, such as protein folding [3,4], receptor complex stabilization [5], apoptosis participation [6] and receptor signaling [7]. Various Cyps have been found in diverse organisms ranging from bacteria to humans [8e12].…”

Tec Kinase Itk Forms Membrane Clusters Specifically in the Vicinity of Recruiting Receptors

“…Thus, membrane recruitment is a critical component of their activation, and Itk can be found at the plasma membrane of cells, although other events are required for its full activity (17)(18)(19). It is, however, not clear whether this is general membrane localization of the protein in anticipation of activation or a specific localization in certain regions of the plasma membrane.The structure of Itk in cells is not known, although it has been suggested to form dimers in its inactive state, with a resultant monomerization upon activation (20,21). We have examined these issues using a split YFP system (22) and find that Itk forms dimers or higher order clusters; however, it does so only at the plasma membrane and only in the vicinity of a receptor that can recruit PI3 kinase.…”

“…The structure of Itk in cells is not known, although it has been suggested to form dimers in its inactive state, with a resultant monomerization upon activation (20,21). We have examined these issues using a split YFP system (22) and find that Itk forms dimers or higher order clusters; however, it does so only at the plasma membrane and only in the vicinity of a receptor that can recruit PI3 kinase.…”

“…3a). In addition to potential interactions with the PRR of the TH domain, the SH3 domain of Itk has been suggested to interact with a proline residue in the SH2 domain of Itk in an intermolecular fashion (20,21). The SH2 domain can interact with other proteins upon their tyrosine phosphorylation.…”

NMR reveals novel mechanisms of protein activity regulation

“…Proline cis-trans isomerization has emerged as a particularly efficient regulatory mechanism in many biological processes, including cell signaling, [62][63][64][65] neurodegeneration, 66 amyloidogenesis, 67 channel gating, 68 gene regulation, 69,70 phage and virus infection, 71,72 enzyme function, 73,74 and ligand recognition. 75 Proline isomerization is unique in that it exerts its function through multiple mechanisms involving (i) significant conformational changes caused by the 180 rotation about the prolyl bond, (ii) slow kinetics of isomerization affording a molecular timer, and (iii) the recruitment of prolyl cis-trans isomerase enzymes (PPIases).…”