Signal transduction by the epidermal growth factor receptor after functional desensitization of the receptor tyrosine protein kinase activity

Genetically encoded fluorescent indicators to visualize protein phosphorylation by extracellular signal-regulated kinase in single living cells

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates a wide variety of cell functions, such as cell growth and differentiation. To study the spatiotemporal dynamics of protein phosphor-ylation by activated ERK in living cells, we have developed genetically encoded fluorescent indicators for ERK. The present indicators are based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two green fluorescent protein mutants. Phosphorylation of the indicators by activated ERK changes the FRET efficiency due to their conformational alterations. We visualized the cytosolic and nuclear activity of ERK using the present indicators. We thus found that the activation duration of ERK is considerably different between the cytosol and nucleus in living cells. The subcellular difference in the ERK activity may be fundamental to the regulation of cell functions by ERK. The present fluorescent indicators provide a powerful tool to reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of protein phosphorylation by ERK in single living cells.

Analysis of the epidermal growth factor receptor specific transcriptome: effect of receptor expression level and an activating mutation

Overexpression or expression of activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common in cancer and correlates with neoplastic progression. The present study employed Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays to profile genes induced by ligand-activated EGFR with the receptor either moderately expressed or overexpressed at an in-itself transforming level. These changes were compared to those induced by the naturally occurring constitutively active variant EGFRvIII. This study provides novel insight on the activities and mechanisms of EGFRvIII and EGFR mediated transformation, as genes encoding proteins with functions in promoting cell proliferation, invasion, antiapoptosis, and angiogenesis featured prominently in the EGFRvIII- and EGFR-expressing cells. Surprisingly, it was found that ligand-activated EGFR induced the expression of a large group of genes known to be inducible by interferons. Expression of this module was absent in the EGFRvIII-expressing cell line and the parental cell line. Treatment with the specific EGFR inhibitor AG1478 indicated that the regulations were primary, receptor-mediated events. Furthermore, activation of this module correlated with activation of STAT1 and STAT3. The results thus demonstrate that ligand-activated EGFR at different expression levels results in different kinetics of signaling and induction of gene expression. In addition, the constitutively active variant EGFRvIII seems to activate only a subset of signal pathways and induce a subset of genes as compared to the ligand-activated EGFR.

Intensification of growth factor receptor signalling by phorbol treatment of ligand-primed cells implies a dimer-stabilizing effect of protein kinase C-dependent juxtamembrane domain phosphorylation

Protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylates the juxtamembrane domain of many growth factor receptors, but the physiologic effect of this modification on ligand signalling and desensitisation is unclear. Here we show that PKC-dependent transmodulation of EGFR and ErbB2 signalling is schedule-specific: prolonged pre-treatment of A431 cells with the PKC agonist phorbol dibutyrate potently inhibits subsequent ligand-induced EGFR signalling as expected, but EGF pre-treatment reverses the inhibitory effect of phorbol. The agonist activity of PKC on receptor signalling is even more apparent when cells are treated with phorbol in the presence of a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. Because these findings suggested a synergistic interaction between tyrosine- and PKC-dependent phosphorylation events, we sought to define the interactions of tyrosine-phosphorylated and PKC-modified ErbB2 subsets within EGF-inducible hetero-oligomers. Growth factor-dependent PKC transphosphorylation takes place exclusively within endocytosed tyrosine-phosphorylated receptor oligomers. Moreover, phorbol differentially affects two ErbB2 C-terminal autophosphorylation sites: whereas phosphorylation of Tyr1222 is reduced, phosphorylation of Tyr1139 is increased. These results suggest that PKC-dependent phosphorylation of the juxtamembrane domain may contribute positively to both internalisation and signalling of ligand-activated receptors, simultaneously accelerating termination of growth factor action. We propose that transient PKC-dependent signal amplification results from enhanced stability of liganded receptor oligomers due to phosphorylation-dependent juxtamembrane domain interactions, analogous to the protein-protein binding now known to be induced by serine-threonine phosphorylation of CREB and SMAD.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor binding to the p75 neurotrophin receptor reduces TrkA signaling while increasing serine phosphorylation in the TrkA intracellular domain

We have examined whether the low affinity neurotrophin receptor p75NTR modulates TrkA function by intracellular signaling. Using ligands that selectively bind p75NTR or TrkA, we found that a p75NTR-derived signal reduces TrkA activation. Short term treatment of PC12 cells with ceramide analogues also resulted in reduced NGF-stimulated TrkA activation, suggesting that p75-mediated increases in sphingomyelinase activity may contribute to this modulatory effect. Phosphoamino acid analysis was performed to determine if brain-derived neurotrophic factor- or ceramide-mediated phosphorylation of the TrkA intracellular domain correlated with a reduction in its ligand-induced activation. A specific increase in TrkA phosphoserine content was observed in response to both C2-ceramide and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These results suggest that ligand binding of p75NTR can activate a signaling cascade that results in reduced TrkA activity through phosphorylation of its intracellular domain.

Association and colocalization of Eps15 with adaptor protein-2 and clathrin

Eps15 has been identified as a substrate of the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase. In this report, we show that activation of the EGF receptor by either EGF or TGF-alpha results in phosphorylation of Eps15. Stimulation of cells with PDGF or insulin did not lead to Eps15 phosphorylation, suggesting that phosphorylation of Eps15 is a receptor-specific process. We demonstrate that Eps15 is constitutively associated with both alpha-adaptin and clathrin. Upon EGF stimulation, Eps15 and alpha-adaptin are recruited to the EGF receptor. Using a truncated EGF receptor mutant, we demonstrate that the regulatory domain of the cytoplasmic tail of the EGF receptor is essential for the binding of Eps15. Fractionation studies reveal that Eps15 is present in cell fractions enriched for plasma membrane and endosomal membranes. Immunofluorescence studies show that Eps15 colocalizes with adaptor protein-2 (AP-2) and partially with clathrin. No colocalization of Eps15 was observed with the early endosomal markers rab4 and rab5. These observations indicate that Eps15 is present in coated pits and coated vesicles of the clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway, but not in early endosomes. Neither AP-2 nor clathrin are required for the binding of Eps15 to coated pits or coated vesicles, since in membranes lacking AP-2 and clathrin, Eps15 still shows the same staining pattern. These findings suggest that Eps15 may play a critical role in the recruitment of active EGF receptors into coated pit regions before endocytosis of ligand-occupied EGF receptors.

Differential activation by platelet-derived growth factor-BB of mitogen activated protein kinases in starved or nonstarved AKR-2B fibroblasts

More than 90% of serum-deprived (starved) AKR-2B mouse fibroblasts are stimulated to divided by the addition of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB. In density-arrested (nonstarved) cells, PDGF-BB affords protection from cell death without stimulation of cell division. In both cultivation conditions the cells express similar amounts of PDGF beta-receptors and the receptor kinase activity was identical as judged by its autophosphorylation capacity. Three signaling pathways were studied in detail: 1) Phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) and [Ca2+]i increase, 2) activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase), and 3) activation of mitogen activated kinases I and II (MAP kinases I and II). There was no difference in starved or nonstarved cells regarding PLC-gamma activation, increase of [Ca2+]i, and stimulation of PI-3 kinase activity. But most remarkably the activation of MAP-I was largely suppressed in nonstarved cells. The implications of these signaling pathways in cell protection or cell division are discussed.

Platelet-derived growth factor isoforms prevent cell death during starvation of AKR-2B fibroblasts

Confluent AKR-2B fibroblasts rapidly desintegrate upon removal of serum until a final density of approximately 50% of the initial value was reached after 12 h. This density remained unchanged for at least 48 h. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB stimulated more than 95% of these cells to divide. PDGF-AB or -BB added immediately after serum removal caused complete survival of the cells, but did not stimulate cell division as demonstrated by two-dimensional DNA flow cytometry. PDGF-AA was less effective leading to approximately 75% of the initial cell density. This effect could be augmented by the addition of ocadaic acid, a potent phosphatase inhibitor, suggesting that protein phosphorylation plays a role in this process. By using tyrphostin AG807 it was demonstrated that the signaling mechanism for survival requires receptor tyrosine autophosphorylation.

Prolactin inhibits epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated signaling events in mouse mammary epithelial cells by altering EGF receptor function

We have previously shown that lactogenic hormones stimulate epidermal growth factor (EGF) mRNA accumulation in mouse mammary glands in vivo and in mouse mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG line). However, our in vitro studies indicate that the lactogenic hormone prolactin (PRL) completely inhibits EGF-stimulated DNA synthesis. PRL does not alter cholera toxin or insulin-like growth factor-1-stimulated cell growth, thus the inhibition appears to be specific for EGF. Our current studies are designed to evaluate the effects of PRL on EGF-stimulated signaling events in the NMuMG cell line. Cells treated with PRL for 30 min demonstrated a loss of high affinity EGF-binding ability. After long-term PRL treatment (18 h) there was a decrease in EGF receptor (R) number, as determined by [125I]EGF binding. PRL treatment (8 h) also decreased EGF-R mRNA levels. An EGF-stimulated increase in EGF-R mRNA observed 2-4 h after treatment was decreased when PRL was added to the cultures. Furthermore, levels of EGF-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF-R (170 kDa) and phospholipase C gamma (145 kDa) are dramatically decreased in cells treated with PRL. Also of great interest was a decrease in EGF-stimulated c-myc mRNA in PRL-treated cells. We conclude that PRL is acting to down-regulate the EGF-R, thus limiting EGF-stimulated cell signaling in mammary tissue.

Epidermal growth factor stimulates the disruption of gap junctional communication and connexin43 phosphorylation independent of 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-sensitive protein kinase C: the possible involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase

We previously reported that epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced the disruption of gap junctional communication (gjc) and serine phosphorylation of connexin43 (Cx43) in T51B rat liver epithelial cells. However, the cascade of events linking EGF receptor activation to these particular responses have not been fully characterized. Furthermore, the serine kinase(s) acting directly on Cx43 remain unidentified. In the current study, we demonstrate that downmodulation of 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-sensitive protein kinase C (PKC) activity does not affect EGF's ability to reduce junctional permeability or phosphorylate Cx43 in T51B cells. EGF in the presence or absence of chronic TPA treatment stimulated marked increases in Cx43 phosphorylation on numerous sites as determined by two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping. Computer-assisted sequence analysis of Cx43 identified several protein kinase phosphorylation consensus sites including two sites for mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. EGF stimulated activation of MAP kinase in a time- and dose-dependent manner where the kinetics of kinase activity corroborated its possible involvement in mediating EGF's effects. Moreover, purified MAP kinase directly phosphorylated Cx43 on serine residues in vitro. Two-dimensional tryptic and chymotryptic phosphopeptide mapping demonstrated that the in vitro phosphopeptides represented a specific subset of the in vivo phosphopeptides produced in response to EGF after chronic TPA treatment. Therefore, EGF-induced disruption of gjc and phosphorylation of Cx43 may be mediated in part by MAP kinase in vivo.

Differential sensitivity of the short and long human dopamine D2 receptor subtypes to protein kinase C

The human dopamine D2L (long form) and D2S (short form) receptors were expressed separately in mouse Ltk- fibroblast cells to investigate whether there is a difference in transmembrane signaling of these D2 receptors. Both receptors induced two signals, a phosphatidylinositol-linked mobilization of intracellular calcium and an inhibition of cyclic adenosine 3'-5' monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation, each with similar response magnitudes and identical pharmacology. Both calcium and cAMP signals were sensitive to pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), indicating mediation by coupling to Gi/Go proteins. However, the two forms of D2 receptor were distinguished by acute prior activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with 12-O-tetradecanoyl 4 beta-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA): TPA blocked the D2S-mediated increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a concentration-dependent manner (between 10 nM and 1 microM), whereas the D2L receptor-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was resistant to TPA and was only partially (60%) inhibited by 100 microM TPA. By contrast, TPA did not alter the inhibition of cAMP accumulation induced by activation of either D2S or D2L receptors. We conclude that, in the L cell system, prior activation of PKC differentially modulates the transmembrane signaling of the D2L and D2S receptors, preferentially inhibiting the D2S receptor-mediated calcium signal but not altering the dopamine-induced inhibitory cAMP signal of either receptor subtype.

Platelet-derived growth factor isoforms AA, AB, and BB differentially activate poly r(I):r(C)-induced genes in human fibroblast FS4 cells

Polyribocytidylic-polyriboinosinic acid [poly r(I):r(C)]-inducible genes were isolated by a differential screening procedure from a human fibroblast cell (FS-4) cDNA bank. Among yet unidentified genes (gene 274), one codes for a protein with multiple finger motifs and has previously been detected in endothelial cells after tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) treatment (A20; Opipari et al., 1990), the second one codes for a variant of the I kappa B family (Haskill et al., 1991), and a third one for the Ca2+ ATPase (isoform 1). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms (AA, AB, and BB) stimulated the expression of these immediate-early genes. But the extent of the respective induction correlated neither with the number of the two receptors alpha or beta nor with the level of PDGF-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation on tyrosine. Although alpha-receptors were less abundant than beta-receptors (12,500 binding sites were estimated for PDGF-AA, KD 0.03 nM; 20,000 for PDGF-AB, KD 0.03 nM; 35,000 for PDGF-BB KD 0.16 nM) and tyrosine phosphorylation induced by PDGF-AA was significantly less than that evoked by PDGF-BB, some of the investigated genes were more strongly induced by PDGF-AA. We discuss how the differences in the biological potency of the PDGF isoforms may reside in different functions of the two receptors by activation of alternative signaling pathways.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases: ERKs in progress

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