Role of Epac proteins in mechanisms of cAMP-dependent immunoregulation.

Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia. shirshev@iegm.ru

Biochemistry. Biokhimii͡a 2011 Sep

This review presents observations on the role of Epac proteins (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP) in immunoregulation mechanisms. Signaling pathways that involve Epac proteins and their domain organization and functions are considered. The role of Epac1 protein expressed in the immune system cells is especially emphasized. Molecular mechanisms of the cAMP-dependent signal via Epac1 are analyzed in monocytes/macrophages, T-cells, and B-lymphocytes. The role of Epac1 is shown in the regulation of adhesion, leukocyte chemotaxis, as well as in phagocytosis and bacterial killing. The molecular cascade initiated by Epac1 is examined under conditions of antigen activation of T-cells and immature B-lymphocytes.