Protein phosphatase subunit G5PR is needed for inhibition of B cell receptor–induced apoptosis

B cell receptor (BCR) cross-linking induces B cell proliferation and sustains survival through the phosphorylation-dependent signals. We report that a loss of the protein phosphatase component G5PR increased the activation-induced cell death (AICD) and thus impaired B cell survival. G5PR associates with GANP, whose expression is up-regulated in mature B cells of the peripheral lymphoid organs. To study G5PR function, the G5pr gene was conditionally targeted with the CD19-Cre combination (G5pr(−/−) mice). The G5pr (−/−) mice had a decreased number of splenic B cells (60% of the controls). G5pr(−/−) B cells showed a normal proliferative response to lipopolysaccharide or anti-CD40 antibody stimulation but not to BCR cross-linking with or without IL-4 in vitro. G5pr(−/−) B cells did not show abnormalities in the BCR-mediated activation of Erks and NF-κB, cyclin D2 induction, or Akt activation. However, G5pr(−/−) B cells were sensitive to AICD caused by BCR cross-linking. This was associated with an increased depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and the enhanced activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinase and Bim. These results suggest that G5PR is required for the BCR-mediated proliferation associated with the prevention of AICD in mature B cells.