The role of L(u)ck in T cell triggering.
T cells use a highly complex signaling apparatus to discriminate between a diverse array of foreign antigens and a myriad of self molecules. The precise mechanism whereby signals are communicated from the antigen-binding T cell receptor to the intracellular signal transduction machinery remains a source of intense debate. This Journal Club article highlights recent research elucidating the role of the Src family kinase Lck in T cell triggering. Resting T cells contain a newly described form of preactivated Lck that is both necessary and sufficient for T cell activation but remains uncoupled from the T cell receptor in the absence of antigen. This research allows a reappraisal of the mechanisms underlying T cell triggering.
Protein Crystallography Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. richard.berry@monash.edu
Richard
R
Berry
D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000502:physiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D054992:Immunological Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D019860:Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck) / Q000378:metabolism*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D019860:Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)