Lysyl-tRNA Synthetase Inhibits Various Shear Stress-stimulated Signaling Pathways in Endothelial Cells

Hemodynamic shear stress, the dragging force generated by blood flow, is known as an anti-atherogenic factor. We tested whether lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KRS) will be utilized as an agent controlling shear-sensing systems. KRS was previously known to be secreted as a pro-inflammatory agent. Here we found that KRS inhibited various shear-stimulated signaling pathways. We further found that KRS binds to detergent-resistant membrane (DRM), indicating that KRS binding molecules exist in DRM, specialized regions of the plasma membrane. DRM plays important roles in a variety of cellular processes and consists of gangliosides, signaling molecules and cytoskeletons. We then determined that KRS was colocalized with integrins ${\alpha}4$, ${\alpha}5$ and $av{\beta}3$. In addition, KRS was shown to be associated with sialic acid, existing at the end of gangliosides. Interestingly, the adherent effect of KRS was inhibited by pretreatment with sialic acid. Moreover, treatment of endothelial cells with neuraminidase appeared to inhibit both the KRS adhesion to endothelial cells and shear-stimulated signaling. In conclusion, KRS is likely to be utilized as a vascular regulator.