Lipid Raft Integrity Is Required For Human Leukemia Jurkat T-Cell Migratory Activity

Lipid rafts are membrane microdomains featuring high cholesterol, sphingolipid, and protein content. These microdomains recruit various receptors, ion channels, and signaling molecules for coordination of various cellular functions, including synaptic transmission, immune response, cytoskeletal organization, adhesion, and migration. Many of these processes also depend on Ca2+ intake. We have previously shown in Jurkat cells that activity of transient receptor potential vanilloid, type 6 (TRPV6) calcium channel, and TRPV6-mediated Ca2+ influx, depend on lipid raft integrity. In this study, using the transwell cell migration assay and time-lapse video microscopy with Jurkat cells, we found that lipid raft destruction was associated with: inhibited cell adhesion and migration; and decreased mean speed, maximum speed, and trajectory length. Using String Server, we constructed a Protein Interaction Network (PIN). The network indicated that TRPV6 proteins interact with the highest probability (0.9) with Src family kinase members (SFKs) involved in processes related to cell migration. Analysis of detergent-resistant membrane fractions and immunoelectron microscopy data confirmed an association in lipid rafts between TRPV6 and Lck kinase, an SFKs member. Destruction of lipid rafts led to uncoupling of TRPV6 clusters with Lck and their departure from the plasma membrane into the cytosol of the cells. Src family kinases are generally associated with their roles in tumor invasion and progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, angiogenesis, and metastatic development. We suggest that a functional interaction between TRPV6 calcium channels and SFKs members in lipid rafts is one of necessary elements of migration and oncogenic signaling in leukemia cells.