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Many immune system receptors signal through cytoplasmic tyrosine-based motifs (ITAMs), but how receptor ligation results in ITAM phosphorylation remains unknown. Live-cell imaging studies showed a close interaction of the CD3epsilon cytoplasmic domain of the T cell receptor (TCR) with the plasma membrane through fluorescence resonance energy transfer between a C-terminal fluorescent protein and a membrane fluorophore. Electrostatic interactions between basic CD3epsilon residues and acidic phospholipids enriched in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane were required for binding. The nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the lipid-bound state of this cytoplasmic domain revealed deep insertion of the two key tyrosines into the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer. Receptor ligation thus needs to result in unbinding of the CD3epsilon ITAM from the membrane to render these tyrosines accessible to Src kinases. Sequestration of key tyrosines into the lipid bilayer represents a previously unrecognized mechanism for control of receptor activation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.cell.2008.09.044

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell

Publication Date

14/11/2008

Volume

135

Pages

702 - 713

Keywords

Amino Acid Motifs, Amino Acid Sequence, CD3 Complex, Cell Membrane, Cytoplasm, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Lipid Bilayers, Lipids, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Models, Biological, Molecular Sequence Data, Protein Binding, Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, Tyrosine, src-Family Kinases