Beta-chemokine receptor CCR5 signals via the novel tyrosine kinase RAFTK.

Chemokine receptors are coupled to G-proteins and their activation results in prominent changes in cell migration and growth. The downstream signaling pathways that mediate these effects of chemokines are largely uncharacterized. Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MIP 1 beta) binding to its cognate receptor CCR5 resulted in activation of the related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK), with subsequent activation of the cytoskeletal protein paxillin and the down-stream transcriptional activators, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Inhibition of RAFTK by a dominant-negative kinase mutant markedly attenuated JNK/ SAPK activity. Thus, RAFTK appears to provide a functional "bridge" for the transmission of CCR5 receptor signaling to the cytoskeleton and nucleus, primary sites of chemotaxis and growth regulation.