Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2025

Co-immunoprecipitation Assay for Studying Functional Interactions Between Receptors and Enzymes
Published on: September 28, 2018
PIM kinase control of CD8 T cell protein synthesis and cell trafficking
Julia M Marchingo1, Laura Spinelli1,2, Shalini Pathak1
1Cell Signalling and Immunology Division, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Integration of kinase signalling networks co-ordinates the transcriptional, translational, and metabolic changes required for T cell activation and differentiation. This study explores the role of the Serine/Threonine kinases PIM1 and PIM2 in controlling mouse CD8 T lymphocyte antigen receptor-mediated activation and differentiation in response to the cytokines Interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-15. We show that the PIM kinases are dispensable for antigen-receptor and IL-15 controlled differentiation programs, but that they play a selective role in IL-2 regulated CD8 T cell fate. One key insight was that PIM kinases controlled the migratory capabilities of effector CD8 T cells, with Pim1/Pim2-deficient CD8 T cells unable to fully switch off the naive T cell chemokine and adhesion receptor program during effector differentiation. PIM kinases were also needed for IL-2 to sustain high expression of the glucose transporters SLC2A1 and SLC2A3 and to maintain activity of the nutrient-sensing kinase mTORc1. Strikingly, PIM kinases did not have a dominant impact on IL-2-driven transcriptional programs but rather selectively modulated protein synthesis to shape cytotoxic T cell proteomes. This study reveals a selective role of PIM kinases in IL-2 control of CD8 T cells and highlights how regulated changes in protein synthesis can impact T cell phenotypes.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Negative Regulator Molecules
Positive Regulator Molecules
Phosphoinositides and PIPs
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...

