title: TCR-dependent translational control of GATA-3 enhances Th2 differentiation.
abstract: The differentiation of CD4(+) T cells into the Th2 subset is controlled by the transcription factor GATA-3. GATA-3 is both necessary and sufficient for Th2 differentiation and works through the induction of chromatin remodeling at the Th2 effector cytokine loci. We show in this study that IL-4 stimulation induces GATA-3 mRNA upregulation, but the level of GATA-3 protein induced is insufficient for Th2 differentiation. The levels of GATA-3 protein and Th2 differentiation are enhanced by concomitant TCR signaling through the PI3K/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. The PI3K-mediated increase in GATA-3 protein occurs without increasing the GATA-3 mRNA level. Rather, TCR signaling through PI3K specifically enhances the translation rate of GATA-3 without affecting the protein stability. Importantly, this role of TCR signaling is independent of the effects of TCR signaling in T cell survival and expansion. Thus, TCR signaling through PI3K may play a critical role in Th2 differentiation by the specific enhancement of GATA-3 translation.
authors.affiliation: David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010441:Peptide Chain Elongation, Translational / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494748:Gata3 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell