Rapid receptor-proximal signaling assays for FcR gamma-containing receptors

Novel, cell-based assays, based on bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, have been developed for FcepsilonRI- and GPVI-FcRgamma complex-mediated signaling at receptor-proximal steps. In a stable transfectant of the HEK-293 cell line expressing human FcepsilonRIalpha, FcepsilonRIbeta, and FcRgamma-GFP2 and Syk(1-265)-Rluc fusion proteins, FcepsilonRI cross-linking markedly increased BRET2 ratios, which are the ratios of GFP2 emission to Rluc emission. These ratios reflect the FcRgamma-GFP2-Syk(1-265)-Rluc interaction in living cells. The signals are specifically inhibited by the Src-family kinase inhibitor PP2. Separately, in transient transfectants expressing GPVI, FcRgamma-GFP2, and Syk(1-265)-Rluc, the GPVI-specific ligand convulxin induced a two-fold increase in the BRET2 ratio and this increase was also inhibited by PP2. Finally, a differential assay was developed which permits the measurement of FcepsilonRI- and GPVI-FcRgamma complex-mediated signaling in the same cell. These assays provide useful methods for monitoring FcRgamma-Syk interaction in real time in living cells and may contribute to the understanding of signal regulation through FcRgamma-containing receptors.