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TRIP6 enhances lysophosphatidic acid-induced cell migration by interacting with the lysophosphatidic acid 2 receptor.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induces actin rearrangement, focal adhesion assembly, and cell migration through the activation of small G protein Rho and its downstream effectors. These diverse cellular responses are mediated by its associated G protein-coupled receptors. However, the mechanisms and specificity by which these LPA receptors mediate LPA actions are still poorly understood. Here we show that LPA stimulation promotes the interaction of the LPA(2) receptor with a focal adhesion molecule, TRIP6 (thyroid receptor interacting protein 6)/ZRP-1 (zyxin-related protein 1). TRIP6 directly binds to the carboxyl-terminal tail of the LPA(2) receptor through its LIM domains. LPA-dependent recruitment of TRIP6 to the plasma membrane promotes its targeting to focal adhesions and co-localization with actin stress fibers. In addition, TRIP6 associates with the components of focal complexes including paxillin, focal adhesion kinase, c-Src, and p130(cas) in an agonist-dependent manner. Overexpression of TRIP6 augments LPA-induced cell migration; in contrast, suppression of endogenous TRIP6 expression by a TRIP6-specific small interfering RNA reduces it in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. Strikingly, the association with TRIP6 is specific to the LPA(2) receptor but not LPA(1) or LPA(3) receptor, indicating a specific role for TRIP6 in regulating LPA(2) receptor-mediated signaling. Taken together, our results suggest that TRIP6 functions at a point of convergence between the activated LPA(2) receptor and downstream signals involved in cell adhesion and migration.

ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activitie↗

Clathrin hub expression dissociates the actin-binding protein Hip1R from coated pits and disrupts their alignment with the actin cytoskeleton.

The actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in the maintenance of discrete sites for clathrin-coated pit formation during receptor-mediated endocytosis in mammalian cells, and its function is intimately linked to the endocytic pathway in yeast. Here we demonstrate that staining for mammalian endocytic clathrin-coated pits using a monoclonal antibody against the AP2 adaptor complex revealed a linear pattern that correlates with the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. This vesicle organization was disrupted by treatment of cells with cytochalasin D, which disassembles actin, or with 2,3-butanedione monoxime, which prevents myosin association with actin. The linear AP2 staining pattern was also disrupted in HeLa cells that were induced to express the Hub fragment of the clathrin heavy chain, which acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of receptor-mediated endocytosis by direct interference with clathrin function. Additionally, Hub expression caused the actin-binding protein Hip1R to dissociate from coated pits. These findings indicate that proper function of clathrin is required for coated pit alignment with the actin cytoskeleton and suggest that the clathrin-Hip1R interaction is involved in the cytoskeletal organization of coated pits.

3T3 Cells↗

Coupling of the proto-oncogene product c-Cbl to the epidermal growth factor receptor.

The proto-oncogene product, Cbl, is a 120-kDa protein present in lymphocytes that contains numerous PXXP motifs in its COOH-terminal region and constitutively binds the SH3-containing adaptor protein Grb2. Cross-linking of CD3 and CD4 receptors in Jurkat T cells causes tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl and its association with phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (Meisner, H., Conway, B., Hartley, D., and Czech, M. P. (1995) Mol. Cell. Biol. 15, 3571-3578). Here we demonstrate that Cbl is also present in nonlymphoid cells, and that epidermal growth factor (EGF) elicits its rapid tyrosine phosphorylation in human embryonic 293 cells. Immunoprecipitates of Cbl from lysates of these cells contain Grb2 in the basal state, while EGF stimulation causes co-precipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated EGF receptors. Similarly, EGF receptor immunoprecipitates from EGF-treated 293 cells contain Cbl and Grb2. Both Grb2 and EGF receptors are released from Cbl in the presence of a proline-rich peptide that binds the NH2-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2. These results indicate that autophosphorylated EGF receptors associate with the SH2 domain of Grb2, which is complexed through its SH3 domain with proline-rich regions of Cbl. Such recruitment of Cbl to EGF receptors may reflect an important mechanism for its tyrosine phosphorylation and for assembling signaling components that mediate or modulate EGF actions.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by fibroblast growth factor receptors is mediated by coordinated recruitment of multiple docking proteins.

The docking protein FRS2 is a major downstream effector that links fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and nerve growth factor receptors with the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade. In this report, we demonstrate that FRS2 also plays a pivotal role in FGF-induced recruitment and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). We demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation of FRS2alpha leads to Grb2-mediated complex formation with the docking protein Gab1 and its tyrosine phosphorylation, resulting in the recruitment and activation of PI3-kinase. Furthermore, Grb2 bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated FRS2 through its SH2 domain interacts primarily via its carboxyl-terminal SH3 domain with a proline-rich region in Gab1 and via its amino-terminal SH3 domain with the nucleotide exchange factor Sos1. Assembly of FRS2alpha:Grb2:Gab1 complex induced by FGF stimulation results in activation of PI3-kinase and downstream effector proteins such as the S/T kinase Akt, whose cellular localization and activity are regulated by products of PI3-kinase. These experiments reveal a unique mechanism for generation of signal diversity by growth factor-induced coordinated assembly of a multidocking protein complex that can activate the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade to induce cell proliferation and differentiation, and PI3-kinase to activate a mediator of a cell survival pathway.

3T3 Cells↗

Fas-, caspase 8-, and caspase 3-dependent signaling regulates the activity of the aminophospholipid translocase and phosphatidylserine externalization in human erythrocytes.

Apoptosis and erythrocyte senescence share the common feature of exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the outer leaflet of the cells. Western analysis showed that mature red cells contain Fas, FasL, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), caspase 8, and caspase 3. Circulating, aged cells showed colocalization of Fas with the raft marker proteins Galpha(s) and CD59; the existence of Fas-associated FasL, FADD and caspase 8; and caspase 8 and caspase 3 activity. Aged red cells had significantly lower aminophospholipid translocase activity and higher levels of PS externalization in comparison with young cells. In support of our contention that caspases play a functional role in the mature red cell, the oxidatively stressed red cell recapitulated apoptotic events, including translocation of Fas into rafts, formation of a Fas-associated complex, and activation of caspases 8 and 3. These events were independent of calpain but dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) as evident from the effects of the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine. Caspase activation was associated with loss of aminophospholipid translocase activity and with PS externalization. ROS was not generated by treatment of cells with t-butyl hydroperoxide at 10 degrees C, and Fas did not translocate into rafts. Concomitantly, neither formation of a Fas-associated signaling complex nor caspase activation could be observed, supporting the view that translocation of Fas into rafts was the trigger for the chain of events leading to caspase 3 activation. Our data demonstrate for the first time the novel involvement of Fas/caspase 8/caspase 3-dependent signaling in an enucleated cell leading to PS externalization, a central feature of erythrophagocytosis and erythrocyte biology.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

NK cell activation: distinct stimulatory pathways counterbalancing inhibitory signals.

A delicate balance between positive and negative signals regulates NK cell effector function. Activation of NK cells may be initiated by the triggering of multiple adhesion or costimulatory molecules, and can be counterbalanced by inhibitory signals induced by receptors for MHC class I. A common pathway of inhibitory signaling is provided by immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) in the cytoplasmic domains of these receptors which mediate the recruitment of SH2 domain-bearing tyrosine phosphate-1 (SHP-1). In contrast to the extensive progress that has been made regarding the negative regulation of NK cell function, our knowledge of the signals that activate NK cells is still poor. Recent studies of the activating receptor complexes have shed new light on the induction of NK cell effector function. Several NK receptors using novel adaptors with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) and with PI 3-kinase recruiting motifs have been implicated in NK cell stimulation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Roles for the tubulin- and PTP-PEST-binding paxillin LIM domains in cell adhesion and motility.

Cell dynamics mediated through cell-extracellular matrix contacts, such as adhesion and motility involve the precise regulation of large complexes of structural and signaling molecules called focal adhesions (FAs). Paxillin is a multi-domain FA adaptor protein containing five amino-terminal paxillin leucine-aspartate repeat (LD) motifs and four carboxyl-terminal Lin-11 Isl-1 and Mec-3 (LIM) domains. The LD motifs support paxillin binding to actopaxin, integrin linked kinase (ILK), FA kinase (FAK), paxillin kinase linker (PKL) and vinculin. Of the LIM domains, LIM2 and 3 comprise the paxillin FA-targeting motif, with phosphorylation of these domains modulating paxillin targeting and cell adhesion to fibronectin (Fn). The identity of the paxillin FA targeting partner remains to be determined; however, the LIM domains mediate interactions with tubulin and the protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-PEST. PTP-PEST binding requires both LIM3 and 4, whereas, the precise LIM target of tubulin binding is not known. In this report, we demonstrate that the individual paxillin LIM2 and 3 domains support specific binding to tubulin and suggest a potential role for this interaction in the regulation of paxillin sub-cellular compartmentalization. In addition, expression of paxillin molecules with mutations in the tubulin- and PTP-PEST-binding LIM domains differentially impaired Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO.K1) cell adhesion and migration to Fn. Perturbation of LIM3 or 4 inhibited adhesion while mutation of LIM2 or 4 decreased cell motility. Interestingly, expression of tandem LIM2-3 inhibited cell adhesion and spreading while LIM3-4 stimulated a well-spread polarized phenotype. These data offer further support for a critical role for paxillin in cell adhesion and motility.

Animals↗

Bilayered clathrin coats on endosomal vacuoles are involved in protein sorting toward lysosomes.

In many cells endosomal vacuoles show clathrin coats of which the function is unknown. Herein, we show that this coat is predominantly present on early endosomes and has a characteristic bilayered appearance in the electron microscope. By immunoelectron microscopy we show that the coat contains clathrin heavy as well as light chain, but lacks the adaptor complexes AP1, AP2, and AP3, by which it differs from clathrin coats on endocytic vesicles and recycling endosomes. The coat is insensitive to short incubations with brefeldin A, but disappears in the presence of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. No association of endosomal coated areas with tracks of tubulin or actin was found. By quantitative immunoelectron microscopy, we found that the lysosomal-targeted receptors for growth hormone (GHR) and epidermal growth factor are concentrated in the coated membrane areas, whereas the recycling transferrin receptor is not. In addition, we found that the proteasomal inhibitor MG 132 induces a redistribution of a truncated GHR (GHR-369) toward recycling vesicles, which coincided with a redistribution of endosomal vacuole-associated GHR-369 to the noncoated areas of the limiting membrane. Together, these data suggest a role for the bilayered clathrin coat on vacuolar endosomes in targeting of proteins to lysosomes.

Androstadienes↗

Activation of the p70 S6 kinase and phosphorylation of the 4E-BP1 repressor of mRNA translation by type I interferons.

The Type I IFN receptor-generated signals required for initiation of mRNA translation and, ultimately, induction of protein products that mediate IFN responses, remain unknown. We have previously shown that IFNalpha and IFNbeta induce phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate proteins and downstream engagement of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase pathway. In the present study we provide evidence for the existence of a Type I IFN-dependent signaling cascade activated downstream of PI 3'-kinase, involving p70 S6 kinase. Our data demonstrate that p70 S6K is rapidly phosphorylated on threonine 421 and serine 424 and is activated during treatment of cells with IFNalpha or IFNbeta. Such activation of p70 S6K is blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of the PI 3'-kinase or the FKBP 12-rapamycin-associated protein/mammalian target of rapamycin (FRAP/mTOR). Consistent with this, the Type I IFN-dependent phosphorylation/activation of p70 S6K is defective in embryonic fibroblasts from mice with targeted disruption of the p85alpha and p85beta subunits of the PI 3'-kinase (p85alpha-/-beta-/-). Treatment of sensitive cell lines with IFNalpha or IFNbeta also results in phosphorylation/inactivation of the 4E-BP-1 repressor of mRNA translation. Such 4E-BP1 phosphorylation is also PI3'-kinase-dependent and rapamycin-sensitive, indicating that the Type I IFN-inducible activation of PI3'-kinase and FRAP/mTOR results in dissociation of 4E-BP1 from the eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF4E) complex. Altogether, our data establish that the Type I IFN receptor-activated PI 3'-kinase pathway mediates activation of the p70 S6 kinase and inactivation of 4E-BP1, to regulate mRNA translation and induction of Type I IFN responses.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase enhances insulin stimulation of insulin receptor substrate 1 tyrosine phosphorylation and extracellular signal-regulated kinases in mouse R- fibroblasts.

Insulin stimulates phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) in various mammalian cells. To study the role of PI3K in insulin stimulation of ERK, we employed PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and mouse embryonic R- fibroblasts lacking IGF-1 receptors. In these R- cells, PI3K inhibition by LY294002 enhanced insulin stimulation of ERK phosphorylation whereas LY294002 inhibited insulin stimulation of Akt phosphorylation. The enhanced insulin stimulation of ERK phosphorylation was accompanied by increased IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Insulin stimulation of insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation was not altered. PI3K inhibition increased IRS-1-Grb2 complex formation and ras activity following insulin treatment of cells. Increased insulin stimulation of ERK by PI3K inhibition was mediated by the MEK/ERK pathway, but did not involve inhibitory Ser259 phosphorylation of raf that was reported to be mediated by Akt. In summary, PI3K inhibition in R- cells enhanced insulin stimulation of ERK phosphorylation by mechanisms involving enhancement of IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS-1-Grb2 complex formation and the ras/MEK/ERK pathway.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Coupling between p210bcr-abl and Shc and Grb2 adaptor proteins in hematopoietic cells permits growth factor receptor-independent link to ras activation pathway.

Enforced expression of p210bcr-abl transforms interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent hematopoietic cell lines to growth factor-independent proliferation. It has been demonstrated that nonreceptor tyrosine kinase oncogenes may couple to the p21ras pathway to exert their transforming effect. In particular, p210bcr-abl was recently found to effect p21ras activation in hematopoietic cells. In this context, experiments were performed to evaluate a protein signaling pathway by which p210bcr-abl might regulate p21ras. It was asked whether Shc p46/p52, a protein containing a src-homology region 2 (SH2) domain, and known to function upstream from p21ras, might form specific complexes with p210bcr-abl and thus, possibly alter p21ras activity by coupling to the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (Sos/CDC25) through the Grb2 protein-Sos complex. This latter complex has been previously demonstrated to occur ubiquitously. We found that p210bcr-abl formed a specific complex with Shc and with Grb2 in three different murine cell lines transfected with a p210bcr-abl expression vector. There appeared to be a higher order complex containing Shc, Grb2, and bcr-abl proteins. In contrast to p210bcr-abl transformed cells, in which there was constitutive tight association between Grb2 and Shc, binding between Grb2 and Shc was Steel factor (SLF)-dependent in a SLF-responsive, nontransformed parental cell line. The SLF-dependent association between Grb2 and Shc in nontransformed cells involved formation of a complex of Grb2 with c-kit receptor after SLF treatment. Thus, p210bcr-abl appears to function in a hematopoietic p21ras activation pathway to allow growth factor-independent coupling between Grb2, which exists in a complex with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (Sos), and p21ras. Shc may not be required for Grb2-c-kit interaction, because it fails to bind strongly to c-kit.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

X-ray structure and activity of the yeast Pop2 protein: a nuclease subunit of the mRNA deadenylase complex.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a large complex, known as the Ccr4-Not complex, containing two nucleases, is responsible for mRNA deadenylation. One of these nucleases is called Pop2 and has been identified by similarity with PARN, a human poly(A) nuclease. Here, we present the crystal structure of the nuclease domain of Pop2 at 2.3 A resolution. The domain has the fold of the DnaQ family and represents the first structure of an RNase from the DEDD superfamily. Despite the presence of two non-canonical residues in the active site, the domain displays RNase activity on a broad range of RNA substrates. Site-directed mutagenesis of active-site residues demonstrates the intrinsic ability of the Pop2 RNase D domain to digest RNA. This first structure of a nuclease involved in the 3'-5' deadenylation of mRNA in yeast provides information for the understanding of the mechanism by which the Ccr4-Not complex achieves its functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of Ebp1 as a component of cytoplasmic bcl-2 mRNP (messenger ribonucleoprotein particle) complexes.

The 3'-UTR (untranslated region) of bcl-2 mRNA contains an ARE (AU-rich element) that potentially regulates the stability of bcl-2 mRNA in a cell specific fashion. Previous studies have demonstrated that multiple proteins interact with bcl-2 mRNA in HL-60 (human leukaemia-60) cells, potentially contributing to the overexpression of Bcl-2 protein. Treatment of HL-60 cells with taxol or okadaic acid has been shown to induce destabilization of bcl-2 mRNA, which was associated with decreased binding of trans-acting factors to bcl-2 mRNA. Nucleolin has been identified as one of the bcl-2 mRNA-binding proteins [Sengupta, Bandyopadhyay, Fernandes and Spicer (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 10855-10863]. In an effort to identify additional bcl-2 mRNA-binding proteins, two polypeptides of approx. 45 kDa and 60 kDa were isolated from HL-60 cells by ARE(bcl-2) (transcripts that contain bcl-2 AREs) RNA affinity chromatography. These proteins were identified as the human proliferation associated protein, Ebp1, and human DRBP76 (double stranded RNA-binding protein 76) respectively, by MALDI (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization)-MS. RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that recombinant Ebp1 binds to ARE(bcl-2) RNA but not to the group 1 ARE present in GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor) mRNA in vitro. Antibody supershift assays demonstrated that Ebp1 is present in protein-ARE(bcl-2) RNA complexes formed with cytosolic HL-60 extracts. The interaction of Ebp1 with bcl-2 mRNA in HL-60 cells was also demonstrated by RNA co-immunoprecipitation assays. This interaction was not detected in extracts of taxol-treated HL-60 cells. Immunoprecipitation assays further revealed that Ebp1 co-precipitates with nucleolin from HL-60 cytoplasmic extracts. The observation that co-precipitation was decreased when extracts were treated with RNase suggests that Ebp1 and nucleolin are present in the same bcl-2 mRNP (messenger ribonucleoprotein particle) complexes. RNA-decay assays further demonstrated that Ebp1 decreased the rate of decay of beta-globin-ARE(bcl-2) transcripts in HL-60 cell extracts. Collectively, these results indicate a novel function for Ebp1 in contributing to the regulation of bcl-2 expression in HL-60 cells.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Control of beta-catenin stability: reconstitution of the cytoplasmic steps of the wnt pathway in Xenopus egg extracts.

Regulation of beta-catenin degradation by intracellular components of the wnt pathway was reconstituted in cytoplasmic extracts of Xenopus eggs and embryos. The ubiquitin-dependent beta-catenin degradation in extracts displays a biochemical requirement for axin, GSK3, and APC. Axin dramatically accelerates while dishevelled inhibits beta-catenin turnover. Through another domain, dishevelled recruits GBP/Frat1 to the APC-axin-GSK3 complex. Our results confirm and extend models in which inhibition of GSK3 has two synergistic effects: (1) reduction of APC phosphorylation and loss of affinity for beta-catenin and (2) reduction of beta-catenin phosphorylation and consequent loss of its affinity for the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex. Dishevelled thus stabilizes beta-catenin, which can dissociate from the APC/axin complex and participate in transcriptional activation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

SHP2 and cbl participate in alpha-chemokine receptor CXCR4-mediated signaling pathways.

Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1alpha and its receptor, CXCR4, play an important role in cell migration, embryonic development, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, the cellular signaling pathways that mediate these processes are not fully elucidated. We and others have shown that the binding of SDF-1alpha to CXCR4 activates phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase), p44/42 mitogen-associated protein kinase, and the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB, and it also enhances the tyrosine phosphorylation and association of proteins involved in the formation of focal adhesions. In this study, we examined the role of phosphatases in CXCR4-mediated signaling pathways. We observed significant inhibition of SDF-1alpha-induced migration by phosphatase inhibitors in CXCR4-transfected pre-B lymphoma L1.2 cells, Jurkat T cells, and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Further studies revealed that SDF-1alpha stimulation induced robust tyrosine phosphorylation in the SH2-containing phosphatase SHP2. SHP2 associated with the CXCR4 receptor and the signaling molecules SHIP, cbl, and fyn. Overexpression of wild-type SHP2 increased SDF-1alpha-induced chemotaxis. Enhanced activation of fyn and lyn kinases and the tyrosine phosphorylation of cbl were also observed. In addition, SDF-1alpha stimulation enhanced the association of cbl with PI-3 kinase, Crk-L, and 14-3-3beta proteins. Our results suggest that CXCR4-mediated signaling is regulated by SHP2 and cbl, which collectively participate in the formation of a multimeric signaling complex.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Compartmentalization of autocrine signal transduction pathways in Sis-transformed NIH 3T3 cells.

The transforming protein of simian sarcoma virus is homologous to the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain. Fibroblasts transformed with simian sarcoma virus constitutively produce a growth factor that stimulates the endogenous tyrosine kinase of PDGF receptors in an autocrine manner. Autophosphorylation of PDGF receptors upon ligand stimulation provides binding sites for Src homology 2 domains of intracellular signaling molecules, which thereby become activated. We have characterized the PDGF receptor-mediated signal transduction in NIH 3T3 cells transformed with a PDGF B-chain cDNA (Sis 3T3 cells) in the absence and presence of suramin, a polyanionic compound that quenches PDGF-induced mitogenicity and reverts the transformed phenotype of the Sis 3T3 cells. Our data show that in the presence of suramin the general level of tyrosine phosphorylation was decreased. Nevertheless, autophosphorylated receptors complexed with substrates persisted in the cells. Suramin had no effect on activation of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase or on tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma and GTPase-activating protein of Ras. On the other hand, kinase activation of Src and Raf-1, phosphorylation of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1D/Syp and Shc, and complex formation with Grb2 were greatly diminished by suramin. A possible explanation for our findings is that different PDGF receptor-coupled signaling pathways are active in different structural or functional compartments in the cell. Those pathways that are not affected by suramin might elicit distinct cellular responses, which are not sufficient for growth and transformation.

3T3 Cells↗

Involvement of Rabphilin3 in endocytosis through interaction with Rabaptin5.

Rabphilin3 and rabaptin5 are downstream target molecules of the Rab3 and -5 subfamily small G proteins that are implicated in exocytosis and endocytosis, respectively. We examined here the physical and functional relationship between the Rab3-rabphilin3 and Rab5-rabaptin5 systems. Rabphilin3 interacted with rabaptin5 at the N-terminal region (amino acids 1-280), which GTP-Rab3A interacted with. The interaction of rabphilin3 with rabaptin5 was inhibited by guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate-Rab3A. Overexpression of the N-terminal fragment of rabphilin3 (amino acids 1-280) inhibited the receptor-mediated endocytosis of transferrin, and this inhibition was overcome by co-transfection with a dominant active mutant of Rab3A or rabaptin5 in PC12 and HeLa cells. These results suggest that rabphilin3, free of GTP-Rab3A, regulates endocytosis through interaction with rabaptin5 after rabphilin3 complexed with GTP-Rab3A regulates exocytosis.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Activation of the c-Met receptor complex in fibroblasts drives invasive cell behavior by signaling through transcription factor STAT3.

c-Met is the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). It mediates multiple cellular responses in development and adult life, and c-Met hyperactivity is associated with malignant transformation of cells and the acquisition of metastatic properties. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been shown to contribute to c-Met-mediated cell motility and is, thus, potentially involved in the control of invasive cell behavior. We have functionally reconstituted c-Met-dependent signal transduction in fibroblasts with the aim of studying Met-driven cell invasiveness and the role of STAT3 in this phenomenon. Activation of the system was achieved by means of a hybrid receptor comprising the extracellular domain of the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor TrkA, the cytoplasmic part of c-Met and a C-terminally fused blue fluorescent protein (BFP). In addition, a GFP-tagged derivative of adaptor protein Gab1 was expressed. NGF-stimulation of mouse fibroblasts expressing tagged versions of both Trk-Met and Gab1 with NGF resulted in anchorage-independent growth and enhanced invasiveness. By freeze-fracture cytochemistry and electron microscopy, we were able to visualize the ligand-induced formation of multivalent receptor complex assemblies within the cell membrane. NGF-stimulation of the heterologous receptor system evoked activation of STAT3 as evidenced by tyrosine phosphorylation and the formation of STAT3 clusters at the cell membrane. siRNA-mediated ablation of STAT3 expression resulted in a drastic reduction of c-Met-driven invasiveness, indicating an important role of STAT3 in the control of this particularly relevant property of transformed cells.

Animals↗