Generation of a chemical genetic model for JAK3

Janus Kinases (JAKs) have emerged as an important drug target for the treatment of a number of immune disorders due to the central role that they play in cytokine signalling. 4 isoforms of JAKs exist in mammalian cells and the ideal isoform profile of a JAK inhibitor has been the subject of much debate. JAK3 has been proposed as an ideal target due to its expression being largely restricted to the immune system and its requirement for signalling by cytokine receptors using the common gamma-chain. Unlike other JAKs, JAK3 possesses a cysteine in its ATP binding pocket and this has allowed the design of isoform selective covalent JAK3 inhibitors targeting this residue. We report here that mutating this cysteine to serine does not prevent JAK3 catalytic activity but does greatly increase the IC50 for covalent JAK3 inhibitors. Mice with a Cys905Ser knockin mutation in the endogenous JAK3 gene are viable and show no apparent welfare issues. Cells from these mice show normal STAT phosphorylation in response to JAK3 dependent cytokines but are resistant to the effects of covalent JAK3 inhibitors. These mice therefore provide a chemical-genetic model to study JAK3 function.

Automated summary

JAK3 has been proposed as an ideal drug target for immune disorders due to its restricted expression in the immune system and requirement for cytokine signaling. Mutating the cysteine residue to serine in JAK3 increases the IC50 for covalent inhibitors. Mice with the Cys905Ser mutation in the JAK3 gene provide a chemical-genetic model to study JAK3 function.