RasGRP links T-cell receptor signaling to Ras

Stimulation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) alters a number of intracellular signaling pathways including one that involves protein tyrosine kinases, phospholipase C-gamma 1 (PLC-gamma 1), diacylglycerol (DAG), and calcium messengers, By a divergent pathway, TCR-stimulated protein tyrosine kinase activity is thought to result independently in recruitment of the Ras activator Sos to the plasma membrane, leading to Has activation. Here we show that Ras- GRP, a Has activator that contains calcium-binding EF hands and a DAG-binding domain, is expressed in T cells, A PLC-gamma 1 inhibitor diminished activation of Ras following TCR stimulation. Membranes from TCR-stimulated Jurkat T cells exhibited increased RasGRP and increased Ras-guanyl nucleotide association activity that was inhibited by antibodies directed against RasGRP. Overexpression of RasGRP in T cells enhanced TCR-Ras-Erk signaling and augmented interleukin-2 secretion in response to calcium ionophore plus DAG analogues phorbol ester myristate or bryostatin-1. Thus, RasGRP links TCR and PLC-gamma 1 to Ras-Erk signaling, a pathway amenable to pharmacologic manipulation. (C) 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.