Epidermal growth factor receptor in synaptic fractions of the rat central nervous system

Soluble MMP-14 produced by bone marrow-derived stromal cells sheds epithelial endoglin modulating the migratory properties of human breast cancer cells

It has been proposed that epithelial cells can acquire invasive properties through exposure to paracrine signals originated from mesenchymal cells within the tumor microenvironment. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been revealed as an active factor that mediates the epithelial-stroma cross-talk that facilitates cell invasion and metastasis. TGF-β signaling is modulated by the coreceptor Endoglin (Eng), which shows a tumor suppressor activity in epithelial cells and regulates the ALK1-Smad1,5,8 as well as the ALK5-Smad2,3 signaling pathways. In the current work, we present evidence showing that cell surface Eng abundance in epithelial MCF-7 breast cancer cells is inversely related with cell motility. Shedding of Eng in MCF-7 cell surface by soluble matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP-14) derived from the HS-5 bone-marrow-derived cell line induces a motile epithelial phenotype. On the other hand, restoration of full-length Eng expression blocks the stromal stimulus on migration. Processing of surface Eng by stromal factors was demonstrated by biotin-neutravidin labeling of cell surface proteins and this processing generated a shift in TGF-β signaling through the activation of Smad2,3 pathway. Stromal MMP-14 abundance was stimulated by TGF-β secreted by MCF-7 cells acting in a paracrine manner. In turn, the stromal proteolytic activity of soluble MMP-14, by inducing Eng shedding, promoted malignant progression. From these data, and due to the capacity of TGF-β to regulate malignancy in epithelial cancer, we propose that stromal-dependent epithelial Eng shedding constitutes a putative mechanism that exerts an environmental control of cell malignancy.

Phosphatidic acid induces ligand-independent epidermal growth factor receptor endocytic traffic through PDE4 activation

Endocytic traffic can control cell surface versus intracellular distribution of empty/inactive EGFR, an thus its accessibility to external stimuli, through a pathway involving down regulation of PKA activity mediated by PA signaling towards PDE4. This novel control mechanism can trans-modulate EGFR function by heterologous stimuli of PLD.

Endocytosis modulates EGFR function by compartmentalizing and attenuating or enhancing its ligand-induced signaling. Here we show that it can also control the cell surface versus intracellular distribution of empty/inactive EGFR. Our previous observation that PKA inhibitors induce EGFR internalization prompted us to test phosphatidic acid (PA) generated by phospholipase D (PLD) as an endogenous down-regulator of PKA activity, which activates rolipram-sensitive type 4 phosphodiesterases (PDE4) that degrade cAMP. We found that inhibition of PA hydrolysis by propranolol, in the absence of ligand, provokes internalization of inactive (neither tyrosine-phosphorylated nor ubiquitinated) EGFR, accompanied by a transient increase in PA levels and PDE4s activity. This EGFR internalization is mimicked by PA micelles and is strongly counteracted by PLD2 silencing, rolipram or forskolin treatment, and PKA overexpression. Accelerated EGFR endocytosis seems to be mediated by clathrin-dependent and -independent pathways, leading to receptor accumulation in juxtanuclear recycling endosomes, also due to a decreased recycling. Internalized EGFR can remain intracellular without degradation for several hours or return rapidly to the cell surface upon discontinuation of the stimulus. This novel regulatory mechanism of EGFR, also novel function of signaling PA, can transmodulate receptor accessibility in response to heterologous stimuli.

A rapid Percoll gradient procedure for preparation of synaptosomes

Homogenization of fresh brain tissue in isotonic medium shears plasma membranes causing nerve terminals to become separated from their axons and postsynaptic connections. The nerve terminal membranes then reseal to form synaptosomes. The discontinuous Percoll gradient procedure described here is designed to isolate synaptosomes from brain homogenates in the minimum time to allow functional experiments to be performed. Synaptosomes are isolated using a medium-speed centrifuge, while maintaining isotonic conditions and minimizing mechanically damaging resuspension steps. This protocol has advantages over other procedures in terms of speed and by producing relatively homogeneous synaptosomes, minimizing the presence of synaptic and glial plasma membranes and extrasynaptosomal mitochondria. The purified synaptosomes are viable and take up and release neurotransmitters very efficiently. A typical yield of synaptosomes is between 2.5 and 4 mg of synaptosomal protein per gram rat brain. The procedure takes approximately 1 h from homogenization of the brain until collection of the synaptosomal suspension from the Percoll gradient.

c-jun-NH2JNK mediates invasive potential and EGFR activation by regulating the expression of HB-EGF in a urokinase-stimulated pathway

In this study, we demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR and the autocrine expression of uPA and HB-EGF depend on the activity of c-jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) in human prostatic DU-145 cells. These cells overexpress EGFR and produce a high amount of uPA. Treatment with either SP600125, a specific chemical inhibitor of JNK, or the expression of a dominant-negative JNK form inhibited autocrine production of uPA and HB-EGF, which block EGFR phosphorylation and mitigates invasive capacity. Our data provided evidence that in DU-145 cells, the maintenance of the activation level of EGFR, which determines the cellular invasive potential, operates through an autocrine loop involving the JNK-dependent production of uPA and HB-EGF activity. Moreover, we found that exogenously added uPA stimulates autocrine production of HB-EGF, and that blocking HB-EGF activity curbed DU-145 cell invasive potential.

A regulated interaction with the UIM protein Eps15 implicates parkin in EGF receptor trafficking and PI(3)K-Akt signalling

Mutations in the parkin gene are responsible for a common familial form of Parkinson's disease. As parkin encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase, defects in proteasome-mediated protein degradation are believed to have a central role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Here, we report a novel role for parkin in a proteasome-independent ubiquitination pathway. We have identified a regulated interaction between parkin and Eps15, an adaptor protein that is involved in epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) endocytosis and trafficking. Treatment of cells with EGF stimulates parkin binding to both Eps15 and the EGFR and promotes parkin-mediated ubiquitination of Eps15. Binding of the parkin ubiquitin-like (Ubl) domain to the Eps15 ubiquitin-interacting motifs (UIMs) is required for parkin-mediated Eps15 ubiquitination. Furthermore, EGFR endocytosis and degradation are accelerated in parkin-deficient cells, and EGFR signalling via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI(3)K)-Akt pathway is reduced in parkin knockout mouse brain. We propose that by ubiquitinating Eps15, parkin interferes with the ability of the Eps15 UIMs to bind ubiquitinated EGFR, thereby delaying EGFR internalization and degradation, and promoting PI(3)K-Akt signalling. Considering the role of Akt in neuronal survival, our results have broad new implications for understanding the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Multiple phosphorylation events regulate the subcellular localization of GGA1

GGAs comprise a family of Arf-dependent coat proteins or adaptors that regulate vesicle traffic from the trans-Golgi network (TGN). GGAs bind activated Arf, cargo, and additional components necessary for vesicle budding through interactions with their four functional domains: VHS, GAT, hinge, and GAE. We identified three sites of phosphorylation in GGA1 by tandem mass spectrometry: S268 and T270 in the GAT domain and S480 in the hinge. Expression of HA-GGA1 in mammalian cells and comparison to endogenous GGA1 confirmed their localization to late Golgi compartments. In contrast, mutations that mimic the phosphoprotein (HA-GGA1[S268D] or HA-GGA1[T270D]) at either of the sites in the GAT domain caused a decrease in the colocalization with markers of the Golgi and TGN and an increase in puncta in cytoplasm. Quantitative comparisons of the extent of colocalization of GGA1 proteins with the known components of GGA1 vesicles revealed that the composition of those markers tested in HA-GGA1[S268D] and HA-GGA1[T270D] vesicles were indistinguishable from those of HA-GGA1 vesicles. We conclude that phosphorylation of the GAT domain can stabilize the coat proteins bound and thus regulate the rate of coat protein dissociation.

Conditioned Place Preference and Locomotor Sensitization after Repeated Administration of Cocaine or Methamphetamine in Rats Treated with Epidermal Growth Factor during the Neonatal Period

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its structurally related proteins are involved in the developmental regulation of various brain neurons, including midbrain dopaminergic neurons. We recently reported EGF and EGF-receptor abnormalities in both the brain tissues and blood of schizophrenic patients. Administration of EGF to neonatal rats transiently increases tyrosine hydroxylase expression and subsequently results in behavioral abnormalities in prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle, locomotor activity, and social interaction after development. The enhanced locomotor and stereotypic responses of the neonatally EGF-treated rats are considered to be an animal model for positive schizophrenia symptoms. In the present study, we investigated psychostimulant sensitivity of neonatally EGF-treated rats. At the adult stage, EGF-treated rats were challenged with cocaine (15 mg/kg) or methamphetamine (1 mg/kg), and conditioned place preference and locomotor activity were examined. The rats that received EGF during the neonatal period had significantly higher conditioned place preference for where cocaine or methamphetamine was administered than controls. The neonatal EGF treatment enhanced behavioral response to methamphetamine and behavioral sensitization to cocaine at the adult stage. Drug-naive controls gradually increased locomotor responses to cocaine during their daily injections, whereas EGF-treated rats exhibited a larger increase in cocaine responses. These results indicate that overactivation of the EGF receptors (ErbB1) during the neonatal period influences future sensitivity to psychostimulants. Our findings indicate a potential link between EGF-receptor activation and drug addiction.

EGF receptor transactivation by urokinase receptor stimulus through a mechanism involving Src and matrix metalloproteinases

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are ubiquitous receptors involved in the control of a variety of cellular processes frequently found altered in cancer cells. The EGFR has been recently described to play a transduction role of uPAR stimuli, mediating uPA-induced proliferation in highly malignant cells that overexpress uPAR. In the present work, we found for the first time that uPAR stimulation with the amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of urokinase devoid of proteolytic activity transactivates the EGFR in mammary MCF-7 cells through a mechanism involving Src and a metalloproteinase, as indicated by its sensitivity to selected inhibitors. In these cells, which express low levels of uPAR and malignancy, both ATF and EGF stimuli induced an interaction of the EGFR with uPAR and ERK activation. However, EGFR activation by uPAR stimuli mediated cellular invasion rather than proliferation, while EGFR activation by EGF led to a proliferative response. These results revealed a complex modulation of EGFR function toward different cellular responses according to the status of uPAR activity. On the other hand, we also found that MMP-mediated activation of EGFR can occur in an autocrine manner in cells which secrete uPA. All this reveals novel regulatory systems operating through autocrine loops involving uPAR stimuli, Src, MMP and EGFR activation which could mediate fine control of physiological processes as well as contribute to the expression of proliferative and invasive phenotypes of cancerous cells.

Selective plasma membrane permeabilization by freeze-thawing and immunofluorescence epitope access to determine the topology of intracellular membrane proteins

The structural and functional characterization of membrane proteins includes assessment of their topology in the bilayer. In the present work, we successfully used an approach based on comparative epitope accessibility. The classical method of detergent permeabilization of fixed cells allowed antibodies to detect epitopes distributed at either side of each cellular membrane by immunofluorescent staining. Instead, freeze-thawing followed by fixation allowed antibodies to cross only the plasma membrane whereas all intracellular membranes remained impermeable. By combining the immunofluorescence results achieved with these two methods for a variety of known membrane proteins, we showed that epitope accessibility could be accurately determined in proteins residing in the plasma membrane or in intracellular compartments, including the endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, peroxisomes, different Golgi regions and the nucleus. Freeze-thawing neither changed the expected distribution of each tested protein nor permeabilized intracellular membranes to antibodies. It only permeabilized the plasma membrane. Furthermore, the protocol proved to be efficient in different kinds of cells, which include MDCK and FRT polarized epithelial cells, HeLa cells and fibroblasts. If the complete topology of an integral membrane protein is known, this method would allow to assign an orientation to epitopes recognized by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. It also avoids the use of toxic reagents for permeabilization. Thus, selective permeabilization of the plasma membrane by freeze-thawing provides an inexpensive and reliable method to investigate the topology of membrane proteins as well as the distribution of soluble proteins.

Novel mechanism for regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor endocytosis revealed by protein kinase A inhibition

Current models put forward that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is efficiently internalized via clathrin-coated pits only in response to ligand-induced activation of its intrinsic tyrosine kinase and is subsequently directed into a lysosomal-proteasomal degradation pathway by mechanisms that include receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and ubiquitylation. Herein, we report a novel mechanism of EGFR internalization that does not require ligand binding, receptor kinase activity, or ubiquitylation and does not direct the receptor into a degradative pathway. Inhibition of basal protein kinase A (PKA) activity by H89 and the cell-permeable substrate peptide Myr-PKI induced internalization of 40-60% unoccupied, inactive EGFR, and its accumulation into early endosomes without affecting endocytosis of transferrin and mu-opioid receptors. This effect was abrogated by interfering with clathrin function. Thus, the predominant distribution of inactive EGFR at the plasma membrane is not simply by default but involves a PKA-dependent restrictive condition resulting in receptor avoidance of endocytosis until it is stimulated by ligand. Furthermore, PKA inhibition may contribute to ligand-induced EGFR endocytosis because epidermal growth factor inhibited 26% of PKA basal activity. On the other hand, H89 did not alter ligand-induced internalization of EGFR but doubled its half-time of down-regulation by retarding its segregation into degradative compartments, seemingly due to a delay in the receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and ubiquitylation. Our results reveal that PKA basal activity controls EGFR function at two levels: 1) residence time of inactive EGFR at the cell surface by a process of "endocytic evasion," modulating the accessibility of receptors to stimuli; and 2) sorting events leading to the down-regulation pathway of ligand-activated EGFR, determining the length of its intracellular signaling. They add a new dimension to the fine-tuning of EGFR function in response to cellular demands and cross talk with other signaling receptors.

The AP-3 complex required for endosomal synaptic vesicle biogenesis is associated with a casein kinase Ialpha-like isoform

The formation of small vesicles is mediated by cytoplasmic coats the assembly of which is regulated by the activity of GTPases, kinases, and phosphatases. A heterotetrameric AP-3 adaptor complex has been implicated in the formation of synaptic vesicles from PC12 endosomes (). When the small GTPase ARF1 is prevented from hydrolyzing GTP, we can reconstitute AP-3 recruitment to synaptic vesicle membranes in an assembly reaction that requires temperatures above 15 degrees C and the presence of ATP suggesting that an enzymatic step is involved in the coat assembly. We have now found an enzymatic reaction, the phosphorylation of the AP-3 adaptor complex, that is linked with synaptic vesicle coating. Phosphorylation occurs in the beta3 subunit of the complex by a kinase similar to casein kinase 1alpha. The kinase copurifies with neuronal-specific AP-3. In vitro, purified casein kinase I selectively phosphorylates the beta3A and beta3B subunit at its hinge domain. Inhibiting the kinase hinders the recruitment of AP-3 to synaptic vesicles. The same inhibitors that prevent coat assembly in vitro also inhibit the formation of synaptic vesicles in PC12 cells. The data suggest, therefore, that the mechanism of AP-3-mediated vesiculation from neuroendocrine endosomes requires the phosphorylation of the adaptor complex at a step during or after AP-3 recruitment to membranes.

Presence of up-stream and downstream components of a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in the PSD of the rat forebrain

We previously reported the presence of Erk2 type mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and enrichment of its substrates in the post-synaptic density (PSD) fraction, and suggested a role for MAPK in the synaptic transmission and its modulation [Suzuki, T., Okumura-Noji, K., Nishida, E., ERK2-type mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and its substrates in post-synaptic density fractions from the rat brain, Neurosci. Res., 22 (1995) 277-285.]. In this paper, synaptic localization of the upstream and downstream components of a MAPK cascade was examined. We found that RSK1, Sos1, N-Shc 66 kDa, N-Shc 52 kDa, and Grb2 were present in the PSD fraction, and cPLA(2) was present in the synaptic plasma membrane fraction. RSK2, Sos2, and N-Shc 46 kDa were not present in the PSD fraction. Post-synaptic localization of RSK1 and Sos1 was confirmed by immunohistochemical examination at the electron microscopic level: the two immunoreactivities were localized in the PSDs, both in the spines and dendrites. These results suggest that all the MAPK cascade components examined were associated with PSD or the synaptic plasma membrane, suggesting the role(s) of the MAPK cascade for synaptic transmission and its regulation at post-synaptic sites.

A function for the AP3 coat complex in synaptic vesicle formation from endosomes

Synaptic vesicles can be coated in vitro in a reaction that is ARF-, ATP-, and temperature-dependent and requires synaptic vesicle membrane proteins. The coat is largely made up of the heterotetrameric complex, adaptor protein 3, recently implicated in Golgi-to-vacuole traffic in yeast. Depletion of AP3 from brain cytosol inhibits small vesicle formation from PC12 endosomes in vitro. Budding from washed membranes can be reconstituted with purified AP3 and recombinant ARF1. We conclude that AP3 coating is involved in at least one pathway of small vesicle formation from endosomes.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 is expressed in glial and neuronal progenitor cells, postmitotic neurons and reactive astrocytes

In this study we examined the distribution and developmental profile of the src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 in the mouse brain. We found that SHP-2 is present in both mitotically active and postmitotic cells in the forebrains of embryonic day 12 (E12) mice. In a developmental study extending from embryonic day 12 to adulthood, Western blotting analysis demonstrated equivalent levels of SHP-2 protein at all of the ages examined. Expression of SHP-2 paralleled the level of enzymatic activity at the different developmental periods. In the adult brain SHP-2 was restricted to diverse classes of neurons, while the majority of glial cells did not express detectable levels of protein. However, reactive astrocytes in response to an ischemic brain injury showed SHP-2 immunolabelling. Our data suggest that SHP-2 may play a role in pathways of neuronal and glial progenitor cells, in a broad spectrum of neuronal responses in the adult brain and in the gliotic response to the injury.

The neurotrophic action and signalling of epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a conventional mitogenic factor that stimulates the proliferation of various types of cells including epithelial cells and fibroblasts. EGF binds to and activates the EGF receptor (EGFR), which initiates intracellular signalling and subsequent effects. The EGFR is expressed in neurons of the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus in addition to other regions of the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, EGF is also expressed in various regions of the CNS. Therefore, EGF acts not only on mitotic cells, but also on postmitotic neurons. In fact, many studies have indicated that EGF has neurotrophic or neuromodulatory effects on various types of neurons in the CNS. For example, EGF acts directly on cultured cerebral cortical and cerebellar neurons, enhancing neurite outgrowth and survival. On the other hand, EGF also acts on other cell types, including septal cholinergic and mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, indirectly through glial cells. Evidence of the effects of EGF on neurons in the CNS is accumulating, but the mechanisms of action remain essentially unknown. EGF-induced signalling in mitotic cells is better understood than that in postmitotic neurons. Studies of cloned pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and cultured cerebral cortical neurons have suggested that the EGF-induced neurotrophic actions are mediated by sustained activation of the EGFR and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in response to EGF. The sustained intracellular signalling correlates with the decreased rate of EGFR down-regulation, which might determine the response of neuronal cells to EGF. It is likely that EGF is a multi-potent growth factor that acts upon various types of cells including mitotic cells and postmitotic neurons.

Regional distribution of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor mRNA and protein in adult rat forebrain

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a recently described member of the EGF family that binds to and stimulates phosphorylation of the EGF receptor (EGFR). In this study, we examined the cellular localization of HB-EGF gene transcripts and protein in adult rat forebrain. In situ hybridization studies showed that neurons in various regions, including cortex, hippocampus, and deep structures, express HB-EGF mRNA. Positively labeled cells were also present in white matter, which suggests that both neurons and glia express HB-EGF mRNA. Immunohistochemical studies with an antibody specific to proHB-EGF, a transmembrane form of HB-EGF, demonstrated ubiquitous immunoreactivity in neurons and glial cells in white matter. In view of the wide expression of its cognitive receptor, EGFR, in central nervous system neurons, our results suggest that HB-EGF is an endogenous ligand for EGFR in the central nervous system and may play an important role in physiological conditions.

Identification of a 140 kDa protein of rat presynaptic terminal membranes encompassing the active zones

A polyclonal antiserum raised against the carboxy-terminal 17 amino acids of the rat p185c-neu (anct) reacted with a 140 kDa polypeptide in membranes of synaptosome fractions from neocortex and hippocampus of 11-day-old and adult rats. The same antiserum reacted with a 185 kDa polypeptide in microsome membranes from rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). By light microscopic immunocytochemistry, the anct antibodies against the 140 kDa protein were localized in the neuropile of brain, cerebellum and spinal cord of 11-day-old and adult rats. Especially prominent staining was obtained in the CA2-CA3 zones of the hippocampus, and in the substantia gelatinosa in the spinal cord. The finely granular and diffuse pattern of the immunostain was consistent with synaptic localizations. Interestingly, antibodies against the entire endodomain of p185c-neu (a-Bacneu) were localized in granular structures, probably representing axo-somatic and axo-dendritic synapses, on a subset of pyramidal neurons of the CA3 zone. By immunoelectron terminals in the giant mossy fiber type in the CA3 and CA4 regions. The immunolocalization of the anct antibodies was restricted in segments of the presynaptic membrane facing the synaptic cleft which include the active zone. The identify and function of the 140 kDa membrane protein of rat brain presynaptic terminals, detected by the anct antibodies, is unknown. The 140 kDa protein may be related to p185c-neu, a tyrosine kinase, or to other known or unknown kinases.

Differential tyrosine phosphorylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits

Protein-tyrosine phosphorylation has recently been suggested to play an important role in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. The role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the modulation of synaptic function in the central nervous system, however, is not clear. In this study, immunocytochemical staining with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody demonstrates that there are high levels of phosphotyrosine, which co-localizes with glutamate receptors at excitatory synapses on cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, the tyrosine phosphorylation of various subtypes of glutamate receptors were examined using subunit-specific antibodies. Glutamate receptors are the major excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system and are classified into three major classes: alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole proprionate, kainate, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, based on their electrophysiological and pharmacological properties. NMDA receptors play a central role in synaptic plasticity, synaptogenesis, and excitotoxicity and are thought to be heteromeric complexes of the two types of subunits: NR1 and NR2(A-D) subunits. Immunoaffinity chromatography of detergent extracts of rat synaptic plasma membranes on anti-phosphotyrosine antibody-agarose showed that the NR2A and NR2B subunits but not the NR1 subunit are tyrosine-phosphorylated. Conversely, immunoprecipitation of the NR1, NR2A, and NR2B subunits with subunit specific antibodies followed by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies confirmed that the NR2A and NR2B subunits but not the NR1 subunit were phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. No tyrosine phosphorylation of the AMPA (GluR1-4) and kainate (GluR6/7, KA2) receptor subunits was detected. It was estimated that 2.1 +/- 1.3% of the NR2A subunits and 3.6 +/- 2.4% of the NR2B subunits were tyrosine-phosphorylated in vivo. In addition, endogenous protein-tyrosine kinases in synaptic plasma membranes phosphorylated the NR2A subunit in vitro, increasing its phosphorylation 6-8-fold but did not phosphorylate NR1 or NR2B. These studies demonstrate that NMDA receptor subunits are differentially tyrosine-phosphorylated and suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2 subunits may be important for regulating NMDA receptor function.

Localization and characterization of epidermal growth-factor receptors in the developing rat medial septal area in culture

The presence and binding properties of epidermal growth-factor receptors (EGF-Rs) in different cell types purified from the rat medial septal area in culture were investigated. We report that astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and neurons from this area possess EGF-Rs while microglia do not. EGF-binding sites are detectable on astrocytes derived from the medial septum of both embryonic and neonatal rats. Scatchard analysis of the data for astrocytes from the fetal rats show that EGF specifically binds to both high- (Kd = 7.21 x 10(-10) M, Bmax = 3602 receptors/cell) and low-affinity (Kd = 3.99 x 10(-8) M, Bmax = 86,265 receptors/cell) receptors on these cells. On the other hand, astrocytes purified from neonatal tissue possess a greater number of high-affinity receptors (Bmax = 10,938 receptors/cell) when compared with the embryonic astroglia. With time in culture, the number of both types of receptors on neonatal astrocytes decreases. Oligodendrocytes also possess high- and low-affinity EGF-Rs with dissociation constants of 3.25 x 10(-10) M and 3.85 x 10(-8) M, respectively. The number of receptors on oligodendrocytes is significantly lower than those of neonatal astrocytes (Bmax = 1185 and 25,081 receptors/cell for high- and low-affinity binding sites, respectively). Finally, neurons from this area also exhibit two different EGF-R types with dissociation constants similar to those described for astrocytes. As the number of receptors/neuron (Bmax = 136 and 1159 receptors/cell for high- and low-affinity binding sites, respectively) appears to be extremely low, it is possible that EGF specifically binds only to a subpopulation of neurons from this area. These studies demonstrate which cell types in the developing medial septal area possess EGF-Rs and provide a detailed characterization of these binding sites. These EGF-R-bearing cells may be potential targets for this growth factor or for transforming growth factor alpha in this brain area.

Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-alpha in choroid plexus of the rat and chicken

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is a polypeptide which binds to epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R) to carry out its function. We have observed strong TGF-alpha immunoreactivity in the developing and adult choroid plexus of the rat and chicken and glial cells of adult rats, by using a well characterized monoclonal antibody and the peroxidase method. Preabsortion of the antibody with the peptide gave negative staining. Since previous studies have shown that EGF-R is localized in several brain regions, but not in the choroid plexus, during development and adulthood, it is suggested that TGF-alpha, synthesized in the choroid plexus and transferred to the cerebrospinal fluid, has a role in brain development. TGF-alpha immunoreactivity found in glial cells, but not in neurons of adult rats, suggests that TGF-alpha in adulthood is also synthetized in the glial cell compartment.

Localization of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor receptor in neonatal and adult rat hippocampus

The regional and developmental expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in rat hippocampus was investigated utilizing immunocytochemical techniques at the light and electron microscopic levels. EGF receptor immunoreactivity in adult hippocampus was compared to that found at postnatal day 7 (P7). While the receptor was observed in P7 hippocampus, immunostaining was more prominent in the adult hippocampus, especially in the pyramidal CA2 field. Ultrastructural analysis of this region revealed that the receptor was localized to the cell bodies of both P7 and adult neurons rather than the axons or dendrites. The expression of EGF receptor in selected regions of the adult brain was verified by Western blotting. These results demonstrate the presence of EGF receptor in rat hippocampus as early as P7, localize the receptor to the pyramidal cell body, and establish the hippocampal formation, particularly CA2, as a major site of EGF receptor expression in rat brain.

Ciprofibrate, a carcinogenic peroxisome proliferator, increases the phosphorylation of epidermal-growth-factor receptor in isolated rat hepatocytes

Ciprofibrate, a hypolipidaemic drug with carcinogenic and peroxisome-proliferation effects in rat liver, was found to increase the phosphorylation of epidermal-growth-factor receptor in 32P-labeled isolated rat hepatocytes. This effect was suppressed by protein-kinase-C inhibitors, and was accompanied by an almost complete inhibition of the receptor autophosphorylation normally induced by its ligand. However, in vitro experiments showed that protein-kinase-C phosphorylation of purified epidermal-growth-factor receptor was activated by ciprofibroyl-CoA, the acyl-CoA derivative of the drug, but not by the unmodified drug. Neither compound affected the ligand induction of epidermal-growth-factor-receptor autophosphorylation in isolated liver membranes. These results suggest that metabolically produced ciprofibroyl-CoA in liver cells would activate protein-kinase-C and produce changes in epidermal-growth-factor-receptor function.