Positive and negative regulation of t-cell activation by adaptor proteins

• Published in: Nature reviews. Immunology Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 95 - 107
• Main Authors: Koretzky, Gary A, Myung, Peggy S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.11.2001
• Subjects: adaptor proteins; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Amino acids; Animals; Antigens; Carrier Proteins - immunology; Cell Movement; Enzymatic activity; Gene Targeting; Humans; Kinases; Laboratories; LAT protein; Ligands; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Lymphocytes; Membrane Proteins; Models, Immunological; Peptides; Phosphoproteins - immunology; Proteins; Proteins - genetics; Proteins - immunology; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell - immunology; Signal Transduction; SLP-76 protein; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology
• ISSN: 1474-1733; 1474-1741
• DOI: 10.1038/35100523

Adaptor proteins, molecules that mediate intermolecular interactions, are now known to be as crucial for lymphocyte activation as are receptors and effectors. Extensive work from numerous laboratories has identified and characterized many of these adaptors, demonstrating their roles as both positive and negative regulators. Studies into the molecular basis for the actions of these molecules shows that they function in various ways, including: recruitment of positive or negative regulators into signalling networks, modulation of effector function by allosteric regulation of enzymatic activity, and by targeting other proteins for degradation. This review will focus on a number of adaptors that are important for lymphocyte function and emphasize the various ways in which these proteins carry out their essential roles.