The Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel KCa3.1 compartmentalizes in the immunological synapse of human T lymphocytes.

ABSTRACT: T cell receptor engagement results in the reorganization of intracellular and membrane proteins at the T cell-antigen presenting cell interface forming the immunological synapse (IS), an event required for Ca(2+) influx. KCa3.1 channels modulate Ca(2+) signaling in activated T cells by regulating the membrane potential. Nothing is known regarding KCa3.1 membrane distribution during T cell activation. Herein, we determined whether KCa3.1 translocates to the IS in human T cells using YFP-tagged KCa3.1 channels. These channels showed electrophysiological and pharmacological properties identical to wild-type channels. IS formation was induced by either anti-CD3/CD28 antibody-coated beads for fixed microscopy experiments or Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells for fixed and live cell microscopy.

SUBMITTER: Nicolaou SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2553516 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature