Studying the dynamics of SLP-76, Nck, and Vav1 multimolecular complex formation in live human cells with triple-color FRET

Sci Signal. 2012 Apr 24;5(221):rs3. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.2002423.

Abstract

Protein-protein interactions regulate and control many cellular functions. A multimolecular complex consisting of the adaptor proteins SLP-76 (Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kD), Nck, and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav1 is recruited to the T cell side of the interface with an antigen-presenting cell during initial T cell activation. This complex is crucial for regulation of the actin machinery, antigen recognition, and signaling in T cells. We studied the interactions between these proteins as well as the dynamics of their recruitment into a complex that governs cytoskeletal reorganization. We developed a triple-color Förster resonance energy transfer (3FRET) system to observe the dynamics of the formation of this trimolecular signaling complex in live human T cells and to follow the three molecular interactions in parallel. Using the 3FRET system, we demonstrated that dimers of Nck and Vav1 were constitutively formed independently of both T cell activation and the association between SLP-76 and Nck. After T cell receptor stimulation, SLP-76 was phosphorylated, which enabled the binding of Nck. A point mutation in the proline-rich site of Vav1, which abolishes its binding to Nck, impaired actin rearrangement, suggesting that Nck-Vav1 dimers play a critical role in regulation of the actin machinery. We suggest that these findings revise the accepted model of the formation of a complex of SLP-76, Nck, and Vav1 and demonstrate the use of 3FRET as a tool to study signal transduction in live cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphocyte Activation / physiology
  • Models, Biological*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / genetics
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism*
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nck protein
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • SLP-76 signal Transducing adaptor proteins
  • VAV1 protein, human