Intramolecular interactions of the regulatory domains of the Bcr-Abl kinase reveal a novel control mechanism.

Background: The Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinase is implicated in a range of cellular processes and its transforming variants are involved in human leukemias. The N-terminal regulatory region of the Abl protein contains Src homology domains SH2 and SH3 which have been shown to be important for the regulation of its activity in vivo. These domains are often found together in the same protein and biochemical data suggest that the functions of one domain can be influenced by the other.

SH2 domains recognize specific phosphopeptide sequences.

A phosphopeptide library was used to determine the sequence specificity of the peptide-binding sites of SH2 domains. One group of SH2 domains (Src, Fyn, Lck, Fgr, Abl, Crk, and Nck) preferred sequences with the general motif pTyr-hydrophilic-hydrophilic-Ile/Pro while another group (SH2 domains of p85, phospholipase C-gamma, and SHPTP2) selected the general motif pTyr-hydrophobic-X-hydrophobic. Individual members of these groups selected unique sequences, except the Src subfamily (Src, Fyn, Lck, and Fgr), which all selected the sequence pTyr-Glu-Glu-Ile.

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase by v-Raf in NIH 3T3 cells and in vitro.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are 42- and 44-kD serine-threonine protein kinases that are activated by tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation in cells stimulated with mitogens and growth factors. MAP kinase and the protein kinase that activates it (MAP kinase kinase) were constitutively activated in NIH 3T3 cells infected with viruses containing either of two oncogenic forms (p35EC12, p3722W) of the c-Raf-1 protein kinase. The v-Raf proteins purified from cells infected with EC12 or 22W viruses activated MAP kinase kinase from skeletal muscle in vitro.

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes are a distinct set of gamma delta T cells.

Lymphocytes are most reliably subdivided on the basis of their receptors for antigen at the cell surface. Three subtypes of lymphocytes are well defined: B cells that bear surface immunoglobulin and make antibody, CD4+T cells with CD3 alpha beta receptors specific for antigen associated with class II major histocompatibility complex molecules, and CD8+T cells with CD3 alpha beta receptors specific for antigen associated with class I MHC molecules. These T cells are responsible for known forms of cell-mediated immunity.