T Cell Antigen Receptor Signaling Research Articles

T-Cell Antigen Receptor-Induced Signal-Transduction Pathways. Activation and Function of Protein Kinases C in T Lymphocytes

ContentsT-cell activation–Structure of the T-cell antigen receptor–Modular organisation of the T-cell antigen receptor–T-cell antigen receptor-coupled signaling pathways:Activation of protein-tyrosine kinase by the T-cell antigen receptor; Signal transduction in lymphoid cells involves several protein-tyrosine kinases in parallel; Regulation of T-cell antigen receptor signaling by the phosphoprotein phosphatase CD45–Consequences of T-cell antigen receptor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation:Activation of phosphoinositol-lipid-turnover pathways – Activation of phospholipase C-γ-1: p59fyn or p56lck?–G-protein motif of CD3-γ: relevance for signal transduction – Association of lipid kinase with the T-cell antigen receptor – Intracellular signaling by phospholipid metabolites and calcium: activation of protein kinase C–Protein kinase C isoenzymes – Heterogenity of protein kinase C and mode of activation – Phospholipid-derived mediators in activation of protein kinase C in T-cells – Role of phospholipase D metabolites in activation of protein kinase C – Polyunsaturated fatty acids and lysophosphatidylcholine as activators of protein kinase C – Potein kinase C and p21ras function in interdependent and distinct signaling pathways during T-cell activation – Raf-1 kinase: regulator or target of protein kinase C?– Summary and perspectives.

T-cell antigen receptor-induced signal-transduction pathways--activation and function of protein kinases C in T lymphocytes.

CONTENTS. T-cell activation--Structure of the T-cell antigen receptor--Modular organisation of the T-cell antigen receptor--T-cell antigen receptor-coupled signaling pathways: Activation of protein-tyrosine kinase by the T-cell antigen receptor; Signal transduction in lymphoid cells involves several protein-tyrosine kinases in parallel; Regulation of T-cell antigen receptor signaling by the phosphoprotein phosphatase CD45--Consequences of T-cell antigen receptor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation: Activation of phosphoinositol-lipid-turnover pathways--Activation of phospholipase C-gamma-1: p59fyn or p56lck?--G-protein motif of CD3-gamma: relevance for signal transduction--Association of lipid kinase with the T-cell antigen receptor--Intracellular signaling by phospholipid metabolites and calcium: activation of protein kinase C--Protein kinase C isoenzymes--Heterogenity of protein kinase C and mode of activation--Phospholipid-derived mediators in activation of protein kinase C in T-cells--Role of phospholipase D metabolites in activation of protein kinase C--Polyunsaturated fatty acids and lysophosphatidylcholine as activators of protein kinase C--Potein kinase C and p21ras function in interdependent and distinct signaling pathways during T-cell activation--Raf-1 kinase: regulator or target of protein kinase C?--Summary and perspectives.

The protein tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 can associate with the SH2 domain of proto-Vav.

Stimulation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of cellular proteins, including the vav proto-oncogene product. We now report the detection of several phosphotyrosine proteins (80, 74, and 70 kDa) from TCR-stimulated T cells that bind to the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of proto-Vav (Vav-SH2) and co-immunoprecipitate with the proto-Vav product. Their binding to Vav-SH2 differs from that observed with SH2 domains from other proteins. None of the Vav-SH2-associated phosphoproteins bind to either of the Src homology 3 (SH3) domains of proto-Vav or to mutant Vav-SH2 proteins. The association of the phosphoproteins with Vav-SH2 requires induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins since proteins from lysates of herbimycin A-treated TCR-activated T cells fail to associate with Vav-SH2. Among the proteins from T cells that co-immunoprecipitate with the proto-Vav product and bind to its SH2 domain, specific antibodies identified the 70-kDa tyrosine phosphoprotein as ZAP-70, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) involved in TCR signal transduction. Binding of this PTK to Vav-SH2 is inhibited by a ZAP-70-specific synthetic tyrosine phosphopeptide. We suggest that ZAP-70 may function as a PTK for proto-Vav.

CD45 Tyrosine Phosphatase Activity and Membrane Anchoring Are Required for T-Cell Antigen Receptor Signaling

T cells that lack the CD45 transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase have a variety of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling defects that are corrected by reexpression of wild-type CD45 or its intracytoplasmic domains. In this study, a chimeric molecule containing the myristylation sequence of Src and the intracellular portion of CD45, previously shown to restore function in CD45- T cells, was mutagenized to determine if membrane-associated CD45 tyrosine phosphatase activity is required to restore TCR-mediated signaling in CD45- T cells. Abolition of enzymatic activity by substitution of a serine for a critical cysteine in the first catalytic domain resulted in failure of this molecule to restore TCR signaling. Another mutation, in which a single amino acid substitution destroyed the myristylation site, resulted in failure of the chimeric molecule to partition to the plasma membrane. Although expressed at high levels and enzymatically active, this form of intracellular CD45 also failed to restore normal signaling in CD45- T cells. These findings strongly suggest that CD45's function in TCR signaling requires its proximity to membrane-associated tyrosine phosphatase substrates.

CD45 tyrosine phosphatase activity and membrane anchoring are required for T-cell antigen receptor signaling.

T cells that lack the CD45 transmembrane tyrosine phosphatase have a variety of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling defects that are corrected by reexpression of wild-type CD45 or its intracytoplasmic domains. In this study, a chimeric molecule containing the myristylation sequence of Src and the intracellular portion of CD45, previously shown to restore function in CD45- T cells, was mutagenized to determine if membrane-associated CD45 tyrosine phosphatase activity is required to restore TCR-mediated signaling in CD45- T cells. Abolition of enzymatic activity by substitution of a serine for a critical cysteine in the first catalytic domain resulted in failure of this molecule to restore TCR signaling. Another mutation, in which a single amino acid substitution destroyed the myristylation site, resulted in failure of the chimeric molecule to partition to the plasma membrane. Although expressed at high levels and enzymatically active, this form of intracellular CD45 also failed to restore normal signaling in CD45- T cells. These findings strongly suggest that CD45's function in TCR signaling requires its proximity to membrane-associated tyrosine phosphatase substrates.

ZAP-70 deficiency in an autosomal recessive form of severe combined immunodeficiency.

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) play an integral role in T cell activation and differentiation. Defects in the Src-family PTKs in mice and in T cell lines have resulted in variable defects in thymic development and in T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signal transduction. Here, three siblings are described with an autosomal recessive form of severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) in which ZAP-70, a non-Src PTK, is absent as a result of mutations in the ZAP-70 gene. This absence is associated with defects in TCR signal transduction, suggesting an important functional role for ZAP-70.

Dissection of T cell antigen receptor signaling using protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

T cell antigen receptor (TcR) recognition of appropriately presented antigen results in the rapid activation of protein tyrosine kinases. Subsequent events include activation of protein kinase C and increased intracellular free calcium which lead to the activation of transcription factors involved in regulating interleukin-2 gene expression. We have assayed the ability of a panel of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors to interfere with activation of the NF-AT transcription factor by TcR ligation or treatment with phorbol ester and calcium ionophore which bypass many of the early events of TcR signal transduction. The results indicate that PTK are involved in early and late stages of TcR signaling. Moreover, one inhibitor (genistein) revealed the existence of a PTK which down-regulates specifically calcium-mediated signaling at a point downstream of the PTK p56lck but upstream of calcium mobilization.

The role of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases in T cell antigen receptor signal transduction.

Engagement of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) by peptide antigen bound to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules initiates a biochemical cascade involving protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). Recent biochemical and genetic evidence has implicated at least three cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), Lck, Fyn, and ZAP-70, that are involved in the initiation of TCR signal transduction. In addition, genetic evidence has demonstrated the requirement of the transmembrane PTPase, CD45, for TCR function. Activation of T cells through the TCR represents an alteration in the dynamic equilibrium between PTKs and PTPases. The TCR is a multi-subunit complex composed of at least six different gene products. Dissection of the TCR utilizing chimeric receptors and TCR mutants has demonstrated that the multi-subunit receptor is composed of at least two signal transducing modules, the CD3 and the zeta chain subunits. These two modules have in common peptide sequences within their cytoplasmic domains termed antigen recognition activation motifs (ARAMs) that are responsible for transducing signaling events. Moreover, the ARAM sequence is also found in subunits associated with a variety of other hematopoietic cell antigen receptors and is likely to form the basis for interactions with effector molecules within the signaling cascades of these receptors. Here we review the mechanism by which the ARAM sequences interact with PTKs and the cascades of PTKs and PTPases that are involved in mediating TCR function.

Multiple cis-Acting Elements in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 Enhancer Mediate the Response to T-Cell Receptor Stimulation by Antigen in a T-Cell Hybridoma Line

AbstractTranscription directed by the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 long terminal repeat (HIV-2 LTR) responds to T-cell antigen receptor signaling. Agents that stimulate T-cell signaling pathways activated by the antigen receptor, such as phorbol ester, plant lectin, or anti-CD3 antibody treatment, have been shown to increase transcription directed by the HIV-2 LTR. In this study, we examine the activation of the HIV-2 LTR in T cells stimulated with the physiologic ligand of the T-cell receptor, antigenic peptide presented by a major histocompatibility molecule. HIV-2 reporter plas-mids were transfected into the antigen-specific T-cell hybridoma, 2B4.11, where they responded to antigen-dependent activation. This antigen-mediated transcriptional activation of the HIV-2 enhancer required the presence of at least four regulatory elements in the HIV-2 enhancer, including two purine boxes, PuB1 and PuB2, an AP-1/CREB-like element (pets), and κB. This finding suggests that signals emanating from the antigen receptor act coordinately on a set of transcription factors that bind to conserved HIV-2 regulatory elements. Despite differences in the organization of potentially related enhancer elements in HIV-2 and IL-2, these enhancers exploit a similar signal transduction pathway to induce gene expression in antigen-activated T cells.

Multiple cis-acting elements in the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 enhancer mediate the response to T-cell receptor stimulation by antigen in a T-cell hybridoma line

Transcription directed by the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 long terminal repeat (HIV-2 LTR) responds to T-cell antigen receptor signaling. Agents that stimulate T-cell signaling pathways activated by the antigen receptor, such as phorbol ester, plant lectin, or anti-CD3 antibody treatment, have been shown to increase transcription directed by the HIV-2 LTR. In this study, we examine the activation of the HIV-2 LTR in T cells stimulated with the physiologic ligand of the T-cell receptor, antigenic peptide presented by a major histocompatibility molecule. HIV-2 reporter plasmids were transfected into the antigen- specific T-cell hybridoma, 2B4.11, where they responded to antigen- dependent activation. This antigen-mediated transcriptional activation of the HIV-2 enhancer required the presence of at least four regulatory elements in the HIV-2 enhancer, including two purine boxes, PuB1 and PuB2, an AP-1/CREB-like element (pets), and kappa B. This finding suggests that signals emanating from the antigen receptor act coordinately on a set of transcription factors that bind to conserved HIV-2 regulatory elements. Despite differences in the organization of potentially related enhancer elements in HIV-2 and IL-2, these enhancers exploit a similar signal transduction pathway to induce gene expression in antigen-activated T cells.

Sequential interactions of the TCR with two distinct cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases.

The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) initiates signals by interacting with cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) through a 17-residue sequence motif [called the antigen recognition activation motif (ARAM)] that is contained in the TCR zeta and CD3 chains. TCR stimulation induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular substrates, including the ARAMs. Lck kinase activity is required for phosphorylation of two conserved tyrosine residues in an ARAM. This phosphorylation leads to the recruitment of a second cytoplasmic PTK, ZAP-70, through both of the ZAP-70 Src homology 2 domains and its phosphorylation. Thus, TCR signal transduction is initiated by the sequential interaction of two PTKs with TCR ARAMs.

CD4 function in thymocyte differentiation and T cell activation.

The ectodomains of the T cell surface glycoproteins CD4 and CD8 bind to membrane-proximal domains of MHC class II and class I molecules, respectively, while both cytoplasmic domains interact with the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) p56lck (lck) through a shared cysteine-containing motif. Function of CD4 and CD8 requires their binding to the same MHC molecule as that recognized by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). In vitro studies indicate that CD4-associated lck functions even in the absence of kinase activity. In vivo experiments show that, whereas helper T cell development is impaired in CD4-deficient mice, high level expression of a transgenic CD4 that cannot bind lck rescues development of this T cell subset. These studies suggest that CD4 is an adhesion molecule whose localization is regulated through protein-protein interactions of the associated PTK and whose function is to increase the stability of the TCR signalling complex by binding to the relevant MHC. The function of CD4 in development has been further studied in the context of how double positive (CD4+CD8+) thymocytes mature into either CD4+ T cells with helper function and TCR specificity for class II or into CD8+ T cells with cytotoxic function and specificity for class I. Studies using CD4-transgenic mice indicate that development of single positive T cells involves stochastic downregulation of either CD4 or CD8, coupled to activation of a cytotoxic or helper program, respectively, and subsequent selection based on the ability of the TCR and remaining co-receptor to engage the same MHC molecule.

Regulation of PtdIns-3-kinase and the guanine nucleotide binding proteins p21 ras during signal transduction by the T cell antigen receptor and the interleukin-2 receptor

The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) are important receptors in haematopoiesis since they control the activation and growth of T lymphocytes, respectively. The term T cell activation refers to the events that occur as T cells progress from the G0 to the G1 phase of the cell cycle and is characterised by the production of a wide range of cytokines and other immunomodulators crucial for the growth and development of other haematopoietic cells. Activation also induces the T cells to express on their cell surface high affinity receptors for various cytokines which enable the T cell to respond to the different cytokines generated during an immune response. One well characterised event that occurs when mature T cells are activated is the production of the cytokine IL-2 and the acquisition by the T cell of high affinity IL-2 receptors. Interaction between IL-2 and its cellular receptor then direct T cell growth. One notable difference between TCR and IL-2R signal transduction is that the TCR regulates intracellular calcium and stimulates protein kinase C whereas the IL-2 receptor does not. The present review focuses on TCR and IL-2R regulation of two common intracellular signalling pathways: the regulation of a PtdIns- 3-kinase and the activation of the guanine nucleotide binding proteins p21 ras. The aim is to illustrate differences in the mechanisms that couple the TCR and IL-2R to these two signalling pathways and attempt to explain the apparent discrepancy of TCR and IL- 2R regulation of shared signal transduction pathways even though these receptors mediate quite distinct biological responses.

P21ras couples the T cell antigen receptor to extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 in T lymphocytes.

It has previously been shown in T cells that stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) or the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) induces the rapid accumulation of the active guanosine triphosphate-bound form of p21ras. These stimuli also induce the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), a serine/threonine kinase that is rapidly activated via a kinase cascade in response to a variety of growth factors in many cell types. In this study, we show that p21ras is a component of the TCR signaling pathway that controls ERK2 activation. In the human Jurkat T cell line, transient expression of constitutively active p21ras induces ERK2 activation, measured as an increase in the ability of an ERK2-tag reporter protein to phosphorylate myelin basic protein. Thus, constitutively active p21ras bypasses the requirement for PKC activation or TCR triggering to induce ERK2 activation. In addition, activation of PKC or the TCR produces signals that cooperate with activated p21ras to stimulate ERK2. Conversely, expression of a dominant negative mutant of ras, Ha-ras N17, blocks ERK2 activation after TCR stimulation, indicating that endogenous p21ras function is necessary for the TCR-stimulated ERK2 activation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the activation of p21ras is both necessary and sufficient to induce ERK2 activation in T cells.

Rescue of signaling by a chimeric protein containing the cytoplasmic domain of CD45.

Surface expression of the CD45 tyrosine phosphatase is essential for the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) to couple optimally with its second messenger pathways. CD45 may be required to dephosphorylate a TCR-activated protein tyrosine kinase, which then transduces an activation signal from the TCR. A chimeric molecule that contained extracellular and transmembrane sequences from an allele of a major histocompatibility class I molecule and cytoplasmic sequences of CD45 restored TCR signaling in a CD45-deficient mutant T cell line. Thus, expression of the complex extracellular domain of CD45 is not required for the TCR to couple to its signaling machinery.

T cell antigen receptor signal transduction: A tale of tails and cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinases

The mechanisms by which extracellular ligands induce receptor-regulated signal transduction events have been an area of intense investigation. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding howthe binding of extracellular ligands to protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) growth factor receptors induces the activation of their kinase domains. In contrast, the mechanism whereby receptors without an intrinsic PTK domain activate cytoplasmic PTKs has been enigmatic. However, recent studies of receptors involved in antigen recognition by cells of the hematopoietic lineage provide insight into functionally important cytoplasmic sequence motifs of these receptors and the interaction of these motifs with cytoplasmic PTKs of the Src and non-Src types. This review focuses on mechanisms involved in PTK activation by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR), but similar mechanisms are likely to be relevant for the B cell antigen receptor, the mast cell and basophil high affinity Fc receptorfor immunoglobulin (lg) E (FcsR), and certain Fc receptors expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and myeloid cells. These receptors are involved in the initiation of cellular activation or differentiation but are not directly involved in cell proliferation. All of these receptors, which are responsible for antigen recognition, initiate cellular activation by regulating the function of cytoplasmic PTKs that control the activation of intracellular signaling molecules, such as phospholipase C (reviewed by Samelson and Klausner, 1992). Act/vat/on Motifs in the TCR CD3 and 4 Chains Regulate Cytoplasmic PTKs The TCR is a complex oligomer composed of the products of six genes (Figure l), all of which are required for efficient plasma membrane expression. Together, the a and 8 chains form the ligand-binding subunit responsible for recognition of an antigenic peptide bound to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. The CD3 and 5 chains are responsible for signal transduction. Recent studies with chimeric molecules and reconstituted receptors have provided definitive evidence for a signal transduction function for the CD3 and c chains. The transmembrane and membrane-proximal segments of the TCR chains are responsible for the interchain associations and the assembly of the oligomeric receptor. This observation permitted the development of a strategy to study the functions of the individual cytoplasmic domains of CD3 or r;. Chimeric molecules containing the cytoplasmic domain of 6, its alternatively spliced product n, or the related FCER y chains fused to the extracellular and transmembrane domains of another receptor (including CD8, CD4, CD18, and the interleukin-2 [IL-21 receptor a chain) could be expressed independently of theTCR (Irving and Weiss, 1991; Letourneur and Klausner, 1991; Romeo and Seed, 1991). Stimulation of these chimeric receptors with natural ligands or monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) induce all the early and late events characteristically associated with the intact oligomeric TCR. These findings suggest that 1; or the related chains can function to couple the TCR to intracellular signal transduction machinery. Surprisingly, subsequent experiments suggested a similar function for the CD3 chains. Reconstitution of TCR expression on a T cell hybridoma with cDNAs encoding various TCR chains has revealed that a funcfionally active TCR can be restored with a r; chain that is essentially devoid of cytoplasmic sequences (Wegener et al., 1992). A signaling function for the CD3 chains was confirmed when a chimeric molecule incorporating the CD3 E chain cytoplasmic domain was shown to be capable of activating a T cell hybridoma (Letourneur and Klausner, 1992). Thus, the CD3 and r; chains, though structurally distinct, appear to have redundant functions in TCR signaling. Identification of the functional domains of the chimeric receptors (Irving et al., 1993; Letourneur and Klausner, 1992; Romeo et al., 1992) explained the redundancy of function of the CD3 and r; chains. A sequence motif, first noted by Reth (1989), which is triplicated in 5 and present as a single copy in each of the CD3 chains, is responsible for the signal transduction capability of these chains (Figures 1 and 2). This motif, referred to herein as the antigen recognition activation motif (ARAM), is based on tyrosine and leucine (or isoleucine) residues. ARAMs are also present in the cytoplasmic domains of the proteins (Iga and lgp) associated with immunoglobulin on B cells, the 8 and y chains of the FcsR on mast cells and basophils, and, interestingly, the envelope glycoprotein of the bovine leukemia virus that induces polyclonal B cell proliferation. Since the genomic structure of each ARAM within c, CD3, Iga, lgp, and the FcsR j3 and y chains is similar (each motif is

Ras protein activity is essential for T-cell antigen receptor signal transduction.

In a Jurkat cell model of T-cell activation an interleukin-2 promoter/reporter gene construct was activated by antigen receptor agonism in combination with the lymphokine interleukin-1. Antigen receptor signals could be mimicked by suboptimal activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol esters in combination with calcium mobilization by an ionophore. In cotransfection experiments, oncogenic rats obviated the need for PKC stimulation but did not replace either the calcium signal or interleukin-1. Activated ras expression also replaced the requirement for PKC stimulation in activation of the T-cell transcription factor NF-AT. A dominant inhibitory ras mutant specifically blocked antigen receptor agonism, indicating that ras activity is required for antigen receptor signaling. In addition, an inhibitor of PKC blocked both activated ras and phorbol ester stimulation, suggesting a role for ras upstream of PKC.

CD45 specifically modulates binding of Lck to a phosphopeptide encompassing the negative regulatory tyrosine of Lck.

CD45 is a tyrosine phosphatase expressed in all hematopoietic cells which is important for signal transduction through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). Studies using CD45-deficient cells have revealed that Lck, a tyrosine kinase thought to be essential for TCR signaling, is hyperphosphorylated on Y505 in the absence of CD45. This site of tyrosine phosphorylation negatively regulates the function of the Src family of kinases. Here we provide evidence that CD45 can modulate the binding of the Lck to an 11 amino acid tyrosine phosphorylated peptide containing the carboxy-terminus of Lck (lckP). Significantly, CD45 did not influence the binding of Fyn, PLC gamma 1, GAP and Vav to the same phosphopeptide. Lck protein which bound the peptide was dephosphorylated on Y505 and consisted of only 5-10% of the total cellular Lck. Interestingly, there was a marked increase in binding 15-30 min after CD4 or TCR cross-linking. Taken together, our data suggest that CD45 specifically modulates the conformation of Lck in a manner consistent with the intramolecular model of regulation of Src-like kinases.

Recent advances in the mechanism of action of cyclosporine and FK506.

The immunosuppressants cyclosporine and FK506 (tacrolimus) are extremely potent inhibitors of T-lymphocyte activation. Recent studies have shown that these agents are actually prodrugs that become active only when bound to specific members of the cyclophilin or FK506 binding protein receptor gene families. The cyclosporine-cyclophilin or FK506-FK506 binding protein receptor complexes interact with a key component of the T-cell antigen receptor signal transduction pathway, the calcium-calmodulin-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase calcineurin. The drug-receptor complexes inhibit the phosphatase activity of calcineurin and thereby prevent transcriptional activation of the interleukin-2 gene.

ZAP-70: A 70 kd protein-tyrosine kinase that associates with the TCR ζ chain

Protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) play an integral role in T cell activation. Stimulation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) results in tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of cellular substrates. One of these is the TCR ζ chain, which can mediate the transduction of extracellular stimuli into cellular effector functions. We have recently identified a 70 kd tyrosine phosphoprotein (ZAP-70) that associates with ζ and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation following TCR stimulation. Here we report the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding ZAP-70. ZAP-70 represents a novel PTK and is expressed in T and natural killer cells. Moreover, tyrosine phosphorylation and association of ZAP-70 with ζ require the presence of src family PTKs and provide a potential mechanism by which the src family PTKs and ZAP-70 may interact to mediate TCR signal transduction.