[Novel E3 Ubiquitin Ligase TRAC-1 Positively Regulates T Cell Activation]
>>J Immunol. 2005 May 1;174(9):5288-97.
A Novel E3 Ubiquitin Ligase TRAC-1 Positively Regulates T Cell Activation.
Zhao H, Li CC, Pardo J, Chu PC, Liao CX, Huang J, Dong JG, Zhou X, Huang Q, Huang B, Bennett MK, Molineaux SM, Lu H, Daniel-Issakani S, Payan DG, Masuda ES.
Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080.
TRAC-1 (T cell RING (really interesting new gene) protein identified in activation screen) is a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase identified from a retroviral vector-based T cell surface activation marker screen. The C-terminal truncated TRAC-1 specifically inhibited anti-TCR-mediated CD69 up-regulation in Jurkat cells, a human T leukemic cell line. In this study, we show that TRAC-1 is a RING finger ubiquitin E3 ligase with highest expression in lymphoid tissues. Point mutations that disrupt the Zn(2+)-chelating ability of its amino-terminal RING finger domain abolished TRAC-1's ligase activity and the dominant inhibitory effect of C-terminal truncated TRAC-1 on TCR stimulation. The results of in vitro biochemical studies indicate that TRAC-1 can stimulate the formation of both K48- and K63-linked polyubiquitin chains and therefore could potentially activate both degradative and regulatory ubiquitin-dependent pathways. Antisense oligonucleotides to TRAC-1 specifically reduced TRAC-1 mRNA levels in Jurkat and primary T cells and inhibited their activation in response to TCR cross-linking. Collectively, these results indicate that the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAC-1 functions as a positive regulator of T cell activation.<<
Double negatives confusing me . . . they'd want to develop an agonist? For lymphocytic leukemias, right? Or would they still need to build their map of this pathway for a different target?
Cheers, Tuck |
