Lymphocyte polarity, the immunological synapse and the scope of biological analogy Journal Article
| Author: | Huse, M. |
| Article Title: | Lymphocyte polarity, the immunological synapse and the scope of biological analogy |
| Abstract: | Lymphocytes such as T cells, B cells and natural killer (NK) cells form specialized contacts, called immunological synapses, with other cells in order to engage in specific intercellular communication and killing. Synapse formation is associated with the polarization of the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) toward the contact site, which enables the directional secretion of cytokines and lytic factors. Although MTOC reorientation to the synapse is crucial for lymphocyte function, it has been difficult to study because of technical constraints. We have developed a photoactivation and imaging strategy that enables highresolution analysis of cytoskeletal dynamics in individual T cells. Using this approach, we have demonstrated that the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol plays a crucial role in promoting MTOC reorientation by recruiting three members of the protein kinase C family to the synapse. Here, I will discuss these results along with studies from other labs, which have explored the role of polarityinducing protein complexes after synapse formation. I will also propose a two-step model for MTOC reorientation in lymphocytes that reflects what we now know about the subject. Finally, I will consider the extent to which lymphocyte polarity resembles analogous cell polarity systems in other cell types. © 2011 Landes Bioscience. |
| Keywords: | unclassified drug; protein function; protein localization; signaling; protein protein interaction; protein binding; protein stability; cell specificity; t lymphocyte receptor; cell polarity; protein kinase c; microtubule; lymphocyte; cytoskeleton; phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 trisphosphate; diacylglycerol; lat protein; protein kinase lck; protein kinase zap 70; microtubule organizing center; lymphocyte function; photoactivation; dynein adenosine triphosphatase; polarity; intracellular signaling; leukocyte migration; immunological synapse; t cell; adaptor protein; calcium transport; scaffold protein; proteinase activated receptor 3; chemical biology; protein par6; phospholipase c gamma1; human; article; discslarge protein; lethal giant larvae protein; protein slp76; scribble protein; lymphocyte polarity |
| Journal Title: | BioArchitecture |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 1949-0992 |
| Publisher: | Landes Bioscience |
| Date Published: | 2011-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 180 |
| End Page: | 185 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.4161/bioa.1.4.17594 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC3210514 |
| PUBMED: | 22069511 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 2 November 2016 -- Source: Scopus |
