Depletion of Csk preferentially reduces the protein level of LynA in a Cbl-dependent manner in cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2020 May 6;10(1):7621. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-64624-x.

Abstract

There are eight human Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs). SFK members c-Src, c-Yes, Fyn, and Lyn are expressed in various cancer cells. SFK kinase activity is negatively regulated by Csk tyrosine kinase. Reduced activity of Csk causes aberrant activation of SFKs, which can be degraded by a compensatory mechanism depending on Cbl-family ubiquitin ligases. We herein investigated whether all SFK members are similarly downregulated by Cbl-family ubiquitin ligases in cancer cells lacking Csk activity. We performed Western blotting of multiple cancer cells knocked down for Csk and found that the protein levels of the 56 kDa isoform of Lyn (LynA), 53 kDa isoform of Lyn (LynB), c-Src, and Fyn, but not of c-Yes, were reduced by Csk depletion. Induction of c-Cbl protein levels was also observed in Csk-depleted cells. The reduction of LynA accompanying the depletion of Csk was significantly reversed by the knockdown for Cbls, whereas such significant recovery of LynB, c-Src, and Fyn was not observed. These results suggested that LynA is selectively downregulated by Cbls in cancer cells lacking Csk activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase / deficiency*
  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase / genetics*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques*
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl / metabolism*
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl
  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase
  • lyn protein-tyrosine kinase
  • src-Family Kinases
  • CSK protein, human