Title

The Reversible Formation of Cysteine Sulfenic Acid Promotes B-cell Activation and Proliferation

Authors

Katie E. Crump, Wake Forest University School of MedicineFollow
Daniel G. Juneau, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Leslie B. Poole, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Karen M. Haas, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Jason M. Grayson, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2012

Publication Title

European Journal of Immunology

Keywords

B-cell activation, B-cell proliferation, Cysteine sulfenic acid, Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs)

ISSN

0014-2980

Volume

42

Issue/No.

8

First Page

2152

Last Page

2164

Abstract

B-cell receptor (BCR) ligation generates reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) that play a role in cellular responses. Although ROIs can oxidize all macromolecules, it was unclear which modifications control B-cell responses. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of the first oxidation product of cysteine, sulfenic acid, and its reversible formation in B-cell activation. Upon BCR crosslinking, B cells increase ROI levels with maximal production occurring within 15 min. Increased ROIs preceded elevated cysteine sulfenic acid, which localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus. Analysis of individual proteins revealed that the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) SHP-1, SHP-2, and PTEN, as well as actin, were modified to sulfenic acid following BCR ligation. Additionally, we used 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione (dimedone), a compound that covalently reacts with sulfenic acid to prevent its further oxidation or reduction, to determine the role of reversible cysteine sulfenic acid formation in regulating B-cell responses. Dimedone incubation resulted in a concentration-dependent block in anti-IgM-induced cell division, accompanied by a failure to induce capacitative calcium entry (CCE), and maintain tyrosine phosphorylation. These studies illustrate that reversible cysteine sulfenic acid formation is a mechanism by which B cells modulate pathways critical for activation and proliferation.

NSUWorks Citation

Crump, Katie E.; Daniel G. Juneau; Leslie B. Poole; Karen M. Haas; and Jason M. Grayson. 2012. "The Reversible Formation of Cysteine Sulfenic Acid Promotes B-cell Activation and Proliferation." European Journal of Immunology 42, (8): 2152-2164. doi:10.1002/eji.201142289.

DOI

10.1002/eji.201142289