Alternative splicing of MALT1 controls signalling and activation of CD4(+) T cells

Nat Commun. 2016 Apr 12:7:11292. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11292.

Abstract

MALT1 channels proximal T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling to downstream signalling pathways. With MALT1A and MALT1B two conserved splice variants exist and we demonstrate here that MALT1 alternative splicing supports optimal T-cell activation. Inclusion of exon7 in MALT1A facilitates the recruitment of TRAF6, which augments MALT1 scaffolding function, but not protease activity. Naive CD4(+) T cells express almost exclusively MALT1B and MALT1A expression is induced by TCR stimulation. We identify hnRNP U as a suppressor of exon7 inclusion. Whereas selective depletion of MALT1A impairs T-cell signalling and activation, downregulation of hnRNP U enhances MALT1A expression and T-cell activation. Thus, TCR-induced alternative splicing augments MALT1 scaffolding to enhance downstream signalling and to promote optimal T-cell activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Caspases / genetics*
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Exons / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U
  • Interleukin-2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Caspases
  • MALT1 protein, human
  • Malt1 protein, mouse
  • Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein