T cell antigen receptor signaling and immunological synapse stability require myosin IIA.
Immunological synapses are initiated by signaling in discrete T cell antigen receptor microclusters and are important for the differentiation and effector functions of T cells. Synapse formation involves the orchestrated movement of microclusters toward the center of the contact area with the antigen-presenting cell. Microcluster movement is associated with centripetal actin flow, but the function of motor proteins is unknown. Here we show that myosin IIA was necessary for complete assembly and movement of T cell antigen receptor microclusters. In the absence of myosin IIA or its ATPase activity, T cell signaling was interrupted 'downstream' of the kinase Lck and the synapse was destabilized. Thus, T cell antigen receptor signaling and the subsequent formation of immunological synapses are active processes dependent on myosin IIA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Tal
T
Ilani
Gaia
G
Vasiliver-Shamis
Santosh
S
Vardhana
Anthony
A
Bretscher
Michael L
ML
Dustin
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D054992:Immunological Synapses / Q000276:immunology*; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D024507:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D024507:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA