Specific Association of Tyrosine-phosphorylated c-Cbl with Fyn Tyrosine Kinase in T Cells

Abstract

Fyn is a Src family protein-tyrosine kinase functionally associated with the T-cell antigen receptor (TcR)/CD3 receptor complex. We have demonstrated earlier that the TcR/CD3-induced activation of Fyn results in tyrosine phosphorylation of several Fyn-associated proteins, including a protein of 116 kDa. In this report, we identify the Fyn-associated 116-kDa phosphoprotein (p116) as c-Cbl. The identity of p116 has been demonstrated by its specific reactivity with anti-Cbl and similarity of phosphopeptides generated by V8 proteolysis of phospho-Cbl and p116. We demonstrate here that the association of Fyn and c-Cbl is direct and does not require the presence of other proteins. We also demonstrate that Fyn is the Src family kinase that preferentially interacts with c-Cbl in T cells. The fraction of c-Cbl capable of coprecipitating with Fyn is increased by TcR/CD3 ligation. This increase is likely due to the involvement of Fyn SH2 in the interactions between Fyn and tyrosine-phosphorylated c-Cbl.