Activation of protein-tyrosine kinase Pyk2 is downstream of Syk in FcεRI signaling

Aggregation of the Fc epsilon RI, a member of the immune receptor family, induces the activation of protein-tyrosine kinases and results in tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins that are involved in downstream signaling pathways. Here we report that Pyk2, another member of the focal adhesion kinase family, was present in the RBL-2H3 mast cell line and was rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated and activated after Fc epsilon RI aggregation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 was also induced by the calcium ionophore A23187, by phorbol myristate acetate, or by stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Adherence of cells to fibronectin dramatically enhanced the induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2. Although Src family kinases are activated by Fc epsilon RI stimulation and tyrosine-phosphorylate the receptor subunits, the activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 were downstream of Syk. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 by stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors was independent of Syk. Therefore, the Fc epsilon RI-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2 is downstream of Syk and may play a role in cell secretion.