Gimap4 accelerates T-cell death

Blood. 2006 Jul 15;108(2):591-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-11-4616. Epub 2006 Mar 28.

Abstract

Gimap4, a member of the newly identified GTPase of the immunity-associated protein family (Gimap), is strongly induced by the pre-T-cell receptor in precursor T lymphocytes, transiently shut off in double-positive thymocytes, and reappears after TCR-mediated positive selection. Here, we show that Gimap4 remains expressed constitutively in the cytosol of mature T cells. A C-terminal IQ domain binds calmodulin in the absence of calcium, and conserved PKC phosphorylation motifs are targets of concanavalin A (ConA)- or PMA/ionomycin-induced PKC activation. To address the role of Gimap4 in T-cell physiology, we completed the genomic organization of the gimap4 locus and generated a Gimap4-null mutant mouse. Studies in these mice revealed no critical role of Gimap4 in T-cell development but in the regulation of apoptosis. We have found that Gimap4 accelerates the execution of programmed cell death induced by intrinsic stimuli downstream of caspase-3 activation and phosphatidylserine exposure. Apoptosis directly correlates with the phosphorylation status of Gimap4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Apoptosis*
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cytosol / chemistry
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / analysis
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / physiology*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Phosphatidylserines / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Ian1 protein, mouse
  • Phosphatidylserines
  • Casp3 protein, mouse
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • GTP-Binding Proteins