Coronin-1 expression in T lymphocytes: insights into protein function during T cell development and activation

Int Immunol. 2004 Feb;16(2):231-40. doi: 10.1093/intimm/dxh022.

Abstract

Coronin has been described as an actin-binding protein of Dictyostelium discoideum, and it has been demonstrated to play a role in cell migration, cytokinesis and phagocytosis. Coronin-related proteins are found in many eukaryotic species, including Coronin-1 in mammals whose expression is enriched in the hematopoietic tissues. Here, we characterize Coronin-1 gene and protein expression in mouse embryonic and adult T lymphocytes. Coronin-1 is expressed throughout T cell ontogeny and in peripheral alphabeta T cells. Expression varies along thymic cell development, with maximum levels observed in embryonic early thymocytes and, in the adults, the selected TCRalphabeta(+) single-positive thymocytes. Subcellular localization analysis indicates that Coronin-1 is in equilibrium between the cytosol and the cell cortex, where it accumulates in F-actin-rich membrane protrusions induced by polarized activation of TCR-CD3-stimulated T cells. These data are consistent with a role of Coronin-1 in T cell differentiation/activation events involving membrane dynamisms and the cortical actin cytoskeleton.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / metabolism
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Embryo, Mammalian / immunology
  • Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck) / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / immunology
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / embryology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Proteins
  • coronin proteins
  • Lymphocyte Specific Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56(lck)
  • rab5 GTP-Binding Proteins