The protein content of an adaptor protein, STAP-2 is controlled by E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl

Signal transducing adaptor protein-2 (STAP-2) is a recently identified adaptor protein that contains pleckstrin and Src homology 2 (SH2)-like domains as well as a YXXQ motif in its C-terminal region. Our previous study in T cells demonstrated that STAP-2 influences FAK protein levels through recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligase, Cbl, to FAK. In the present study, we found that Cbl directly controls the protein levels and activity of STAP-2. STAP-2 physically interacted with Cbl through its PH and SH2-like domains. Small-interfering RNA-mediated reduction of endogenous Cbl restored STAP-2 protein levels. In contrast, over-expression of Cbl induced STAP-2 degradation. Importantly, Cbl-mediated regulation of STAP-2 protein levels affected Brk/STAP-2-induced STAT3 activation. These results indicate that Cbl regulates STAP-2 protein levels and Brk/STAP-2-mediated STAT3 activation.