Multi-scale simulations of the T cell receptor reveal its lipid interactions, dynamics and the arrangement of its cytoplasmic region

PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Jul 19;17(7):e1009232. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009232. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

The T cell receptor (TCR-CD3) initiates T cell activation by binding to peptides of Major Histocompatibility Complexes (pMHC). The TCR-CD3 topology is well understood but the arrangement and dynamics of its cytoplasmic tails remains unknown, limiting our grasp of the signalling mechanism. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations and modelling to investigate the entire TCR-CD3 embedded in a model membrane. Our study demonstrates conformational changes in the extracellular and transmembrane domains, and the arrangement of the TCR-CD3 cytoplasmic tails. The cytoplasmic tails formed highly interlaced structures while some tyrosines within the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) penetrated the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Interactions between the cytoplasmic tails and phosphatidylinositol phosphate lipids in the inner membrane leaflet led to the formation of a distinct anionic lipid fingerprint around the TCR-CD3. These results increase our understanding of the TCR-CD3 dynamics and the importance of membrane lipids in regulating T cell activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computational Biology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Membrane Lipids / chemistry
  • Membrane Lipids / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell / chemistry*
  • Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism*
  • Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell / ultrastructure
  • Static Electricity
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Membrane Lipids
  • Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell