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Liang LY, Geoghegan ND, Mlodzianoski M, Leis A, Whitehead LW, Surudoi MG, Young SN, Janes P, Shepherd D, Ghosal D, Rogers KL, Murphy JM, Lucet IS. Co-clustering of EphB6 and ephrinB1 in trans restrains cancer cell invasion. Commun Biol 2024; 7:461. [PMID: 38627519 PMCID: PMC11021433 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06118-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
EphB6 is an understudied ephrin receptor tyrosine pseudokinase that is downregulated in multiple types of metastatic cancers. Unlike its kinase-active counterparts which autophosphorylate and transmit signals upon intercellular interaction, little is known about how EphB6 functions in the absence of intrinsic kinase activity. Here, we unveil a molecular mechanism of cell-cell interaction driven by EphB6. We identify ephrinB1 as a cognate ligand of EphB6 and show that in trans interaction of EphB6 with ephrinB1 on neighboring cells leads to the formation of large co-clusters at the plasma membrane. These co-clusters exhibit a decreased propensity towards endocytosis, suggesting a unique characteristic for this type of cell-cell interaction. Using lattice light-sheet microscopy, 3D structured illumination microscopy and cryo-electron tomography techniques, we show that co-clustering of EphB6 and ephrinB1 promotes the formation of double-membrane tubular structures between cells. Importantly, we also demonstrate that these intercellular structures stabilize cell-cell adhesion, leading to a reduction in the invasive behavior of cancer cells. Our findings rationalize a role for EphB6 pseudokinase as a tumor suppressor when interacting with its ligands in trans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yu Liang
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Niall D Geoghegan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Michael Mlodzianoski
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew Leis
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Lachlan W Whitehead
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Minglyanna G Surudoi
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Samuel N Young
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Peter Janes
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine, Level 5, ONJ Centre, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Doulin Shepherd
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Debnath Ghosal
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Kelly L Rogers
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - James M Murphy
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - Isabelle S Lucet
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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Pasquale EB. Eph receptors and ephrins in cancer progression. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:5-27. [PMID: 37996538 PMCID: PMC11015936 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00634-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Evidence implicating Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands (that together make up the 'Eph system') in cancer development and progression has been accumulating since the discovery of the first Eph receptor approximately 35 years ago. Advances in the past decade and a half have considerably increased the understanding of Eph receptor-ephrin signalling mechanisms in cancer and have uncovered intriguing new roles in cancer progression and drug resistance. This Review focuses mainly on these more recent developments. I provide an update on the different mechanisms of Eph receptor-ephrin-mediated cell-cell communication and cell autonomous signalling, as well as on the interplay of the Eph system with other signalling systems. I further discuss recent advances in elucidating how the Eph system controls tumour expansion, invasiveness and metastasis, supports cancer stem cells, and drives therapy resistance. In addition to functioning within cancer cells, the Eph system also mediates the reciprocal communication between cancer cells and cells of the tumour microenvironment. The involvement of the Eph system in tumour angiogenesis is well established, but recent findings also demonstrate roles in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Lastly, I discuss strategies under evaluation for therapeutic targeting of Eph receptors-ephrins in cancer and conclude with an outlook on promising future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Cortés E, Pak JS, Özkan E. Structure and evolution of neuronal wiring receptors and ligands. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:27-60. [PMID: 35727136 PMCID: PMC10084454 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the fundamental properties of a neuronal circuit is the map of its connections. The cellular and developmental processes that allow for the growth of axons and dendrites, selection of synaptic targets, and formation of functional synapses use neuronal surface receptors and their interactions with other surface receptors, secreted ligands, and matrix molecules. Spatiotemporal regulation of the expression of these receptors and cues allows for specificity in the developmental pathways that wire stereotyped circuits. The families of molecules controlling axon guidance and synapse formation are generally conserved across animals, with some important exceptions, which have consequences for neuronal connectivity. Here, we summarize the distribution of such molecules across multiple taxa, with a focus on model organisms, evolutionary processes that led to the multitude of such molecules, and functional consequences for the diversification or loss of these receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cortés
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joseph S Pak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Engin Özkan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,The Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Xiang S, Wei M, Zhao L, Lin A, Xiong Z. Integrated Analyses of the Expression and Prognostic Value of EPHB6 in Cervical Cancer and Its Correlation with Immune Infiltrates. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2023; 2023:2258906. [PMID: 37101747 PMCID: PMC10125771 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2258906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Among women, cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the third most frequent form of carcinoma and the fourth greatest cancer-related cause of deaths. There is increasing evidence that points to the dysregulation of EPH receptor B6 (EPHB6) in various cancers. On the other hand, neither the expression nor the function of EPHB6 in CC has been researched. In the first part of this investigation, we analyzed the data from the TCGA and discovered that the level of EPHB6 was much lower in CC tissues than in normal cervical tissues. ROC assays revealed that high EPHB6 expression had an AUC value of 0.835 for CC. The survival study revealed that both the overall and disease-specific survivals in this condition were considerably lower among patients who had a low EPHB6 level compared to those who had a high EPHB6 level. It is important to note that the multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that the expression of EPHB6 was an independent predictive factor. In addition to this, the C-indexes and calibration plots of a nomogram derived from multivariate assays revealed an accurate prediction performance among patients with CC. Immune infiltration analysis indicated that the expression of EPHB6 was positively associated with the levels of Tcm, TReg, B cells, T cells, iDC, T helper cells, cytotoxic cells, and DC, while negatively associated with NK CD56bright cells and neutrophils. In summary, the downregulation of EPHB6 was strongly linked to a more aggressive clinical development of CC, suggesting its potential utility as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyang Xiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Gynaecology, The First People's Hospital of Chongqing Liangjiang New District, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Gynaecology, The First People's Hospital of Chongqing Liangjiang New District, Chongqing, China
| | - Limei Zhao
- Department of Gynaecology, The First People's Hospital of Chongqing Liangjiang New District, Chongqing, China
| | - Anping Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengai Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Xu Y, Robev D, Saha N, Wang B, Dalva MB, Xu K, Himanen JP, Nikolov DB. The Ephb2 Receptor Uses Homotypic, Head-to-Tail Interactions within Its Ectodomain as an Autoinhibitory Control Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10473. [PMID: 34638814 PMCID: PMC8508685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands direct axon pathfinding and neuronal cell migration, as well as mediate many other cell-cell communication events. Their dysfunctional signaling has been shown to lead to various diseases, including cancer. The Ephs and ephrins both localize to the plasma membrane and, upon cell-cell contact, form extensive signaling assemblies at the contact sites. The Ephs and the ephrins are divided into A and B subclasses based on their sequence conservation and affinities for each other. The molecular details of Eph-ephrin recognition have been previously revealed and it has been documented that ephrin binding induces higher-order Eph assemblies, which are essential for full biological activity, via multiple, distinct Eph-Eph interfaces. One Eph-Eph interface type is characterized by a homotypic, head-to-tail interaction between the ligand-binding and the fibronectin domains of two adjacent Eph molecules. While the previous Eph ectodomain structural studies were focused on A class receptors, we now report the crystal structure of the full ectodomain of EphB2, revealing distinct and unique head-to-tail receptor-receptor interactions. The EphB2 structure and structure-based mutagenesis document that EphB2 uses the head-to-tail interactions as a novel autoinhibitory control mechanism for regulating downstream signaling and that these interactions can be modulated by posttranslational modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (Y.X.); (K.X.)
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; (D.R.); (N.S.)
| | - Dorothea Robev
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; (D.R.); (N.S.)
| | - Nayanendu Saha
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; (D.R.); (N.S.)
| | - Bingcheng Wang
- Rammelkamp Center for Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA;
| | - Matthew B. Dalva
- Department of Neuroscience and Jefferson Center for Synaptic Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th Street, Bluemle Life Sciences Building, Room 324, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA;
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (Y.X.); (K.X.)
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; (D.R.); (N.S.)
| | - Juha P. Himanen
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; (D.R.); (N.S.)
| | - Dimitar B. Nikolov
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; (D.R.); (N.S.)
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Liang LY, Roy M, Horne CR, Sandow JJ, Surudoi M, Dagley LF, Young SN, Dite T, Babon JJ, Janes PW, Patel O, Murphy JM, Lucet IS. The intracellular domains of the EphB6 and EphA10 receptor tyrosine pseudokinases function as dynamic signalling hubs. Biochem J 2021; 478:3351-3371. [PMID: 34431498 PMCID: PMC8454701 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
EphB6 and EphA10 are two poorly characterised pseudokinase members of the Eph receptor family, which collectively serves as mediators of contact-dependent cell-cell communication to transmit extracellular cues into intracellular signals. As per their active counterparts, EphB6 and EphA10 deregulation is strongly linked to proliferative diseases. However, unlike active Eph receptors, whose catalytic activities are thought to initiate an intracellular signalling cascade, EphB6 and EphA10 are classified as catalytically dead, raising the question of how non-catalytic functions contribute to Eph receptor signalling homeostasis. In this study, we have characterised the biochemical properties and topology of the EphB6 and EphA10 intracellular regions comprising the juxtamembrane (JM) region, pseudokinase and SAM domains. Using small-angle X-ray scattering and cross-linking-mass spectrometry, we observed high flexibility within their intracellular regions in solution and a propensity for interaction between the component domains. We identified tyrosine residues in the JM region of EphB6 as EphB4 substrates, which can bind the SH2 domains of signalling effectors, including Abl, Src and Vav3, consistent with cellular roles in recruiting these proteins for downstream signalling. Furthermore, our finding that EphB6 and EphA10 can bind ATP and ATP-competitive small molecules raises the prospect that these pseudokinase domains could be pharmacologically targeted to counter oncogenic signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yu Liang
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Michael Roy
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Christopher R. Horne
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jarrod J. Sandow
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Minglyanna Surudoi
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Laura F. Dagley
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Samuel N. Young
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Toby Dite
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey J. Babon
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Peter W. Janes
- Tumour Targeting Program, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine, Level 5, ONJ Centre, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Onisha Patel
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - James M. Murphy
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Isabelle S. Lucet
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute or Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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