Immune adaptor SKAP1 acts a scaffold for Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) for the optimal cell cycling of T-cells

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 18;9(1):10462. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45627-9.

Abstract

While the immune cell adaptor protein SKAP1 mediates LFA-1 activation induced by antigen-receptor (TCR/CD3) ligation on T-cells, it is unclear whether the adaptor interacts with other mediators of T-cell function. In this context, the serine/threonine kinase, polo-like kinase (PLK1) regulates multiple steps in the mitotic and cell cycle progression of mammalian cells. Here, we show that SKAP1 is phosphorylated by and binds to PLK1 for the optimal cycling of T-cells. PLK1 binds to the N-terminal residue serine 31 (S31) of SKAP1 and the interaction is needed for optimal PLK1 kinase activity. Further, siRNA knock-down of SKAP1 reduced the rate of T-cell division concurrent with a delay in the expression of PLK1, Cyclin A and pH3. Reconstitution of these KD cells with WT SKAP1, but not the SKAP1 S31 mutant, restored normal cell division. SKAP1-PLK1 binding is dynamically regulated during the cell cycle of T-cells. Our findings identify a novel role for SKAP1 in the regulation of PLK1 and optimal cell cycling needed for T-cell clonal expansion in response to antigenic activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mitosis*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Polo-Like Kinase 1
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • SKAP1 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases