PICOT, protein kinase C theta-interacting protein, is a novel regulator of FcepsilonRI-mediated mast cell activation

Cell Immunol. 2008 Jan;251(1):62-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2008.04.005. Epub 2008 May 13.

Abstract

PICOT (PKC-interacting cousin of thioredoxin) consists of one thioredoxin homology domain in the N-terminal and two tandem PICOT homology domains in the C-terminal. PICOT specifically interacts with protein kinase C theta (PKC-theta) via its thioredoxin homology domain and acts as an important modulator of T cell receptor (TCR)-signaling. Using PICOT overexpressing rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3), we evaluated the effect of PICOT overexpression on the FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling. In comparison to the control cells, introduction of PICOT to RBL-2H3 cells induced increased degranulation and the activation of NFAT and in the expression of IL-4 and TNF-alpha transcripts by FcepsilonRI-crosslinking, whereas no significant change was observed with the elevation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation by FcepsilonRI aggregation. More interesting was the exogenous PICOT overexpression in RBL-2H3 cells causing a large decrease in the elevation of JNK phosphorylation. PICOT-regulated FcepsilonRI-mediated signals in RBL-2H3 cells and acted as a positive regulator on IL-4 and TNF-alpha expression, NFAT and degranulation signal pathways and a negative regulator on a JNK signal pathway. Considering that PICOT has no enzymatic activity, the regulation of PICOT on FcepsilonRI-signaling may depend on PICOT-associated molecule(s).

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Basophils / drug effects
  • Basophils / immunology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / pharmacology
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Degranulation / drug effects
  • Cell Degranulation / genetics
  • Cell Degranulation / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mast Cells / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Disulfide Reductase (Glutathione)
  • Rats
  • Receptors, IgE / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Protein Disulfide Reductase (Glutathione)
  • Txnl2 protein, mouse
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases