Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-beta) activation promotes its association with the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). Evidence for co-receptor function

Activation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-beta) leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of LRP and alters its association with adaptor and signaling proteins, such as Shc. The mechanism of the PDGF-induced LRP tyrosine phosphorylation is not well understood, especially since PDGF not only activates PDGF receptor but also binds directly to LRP. To gain insight into this mechanism, we used a chimeric receptor in which the ligand binding domain of the PDGFR-beta was replaced with that from the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptor, a highly related receptor tyrosine kinase of the same subfamily, but with different ligand specificity. Activation of the chimeric receptor upon the addition of M-CSF readily mediated the tyrosine phosphorylation of LRP. Since M-CSF is not recognized by LRP, these results indicated that growth factor binding to LRP is not necessary for this phosphorylation event. Using a panel of cytoplasmic domain mutants of the chimeric M-CSF/PDGFR-beta, we confirmed that the kinase domain of PDGFR-beta is absolutely required for LRP tyrosine phosphorylation but that PDGFR-beta-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, RasGAP, SHP-2, phospholipase C-gamma, and Src are not necessary for LRP tyrosine phosphorylation. To identify the cellular compartment where LRP and the PDGFR-beta may interact, we employed immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy. In WI-38 fibroblasts, these two receptors co-localized in coated pits and endosomal compartments following PDGF stimulation. Further, phosphorylated forms of the PDGFR-beta co-immunoprecipitated with LRP following PDGF treatment. Together, these studies revealed close association between activated PDGFR-beta and LRP, suggesting that LRP functions as a co-receptor capable of modulating the signal transduction pathways initiated by the PDGF receptor from endosomes.     

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). Evidence for integrated co-receptor function betwenn LRP and the PDGF

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) functions in the catabolism of numerous ligands including proteinases, proteinase inhibitor complexes, and lipoproteins. In the current study we provide evidence indicating an expanded role for LRP in modulating cellular signaling events. Our results show that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB induces a transient tyrosine phosphorylation of the LRP cytoplasmic domain in a process dependent on PDGF receptor activation and c-Src family kinase activity. Other growth factors, including basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, were unable to mediate tyrosine phosphorylation of LRP. The basis for this selectivity may result from the ability of LRP to bind PDGFBB, because surface plasmon resonance experiments demonstrated that only PDGF, and not basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, or insulin-like growth factor-1, bound to purified LRP immobilized on a sensor chip. The use of LRP mini-receptor mutants as well as in vitro phosphorylation studies demonstrated that the tyrosine located within the second NPXY motif found in the LRP cytoplasmic domain is the primary site of tyrosine phosphorylation by Src and Src family kinases. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that PDGF-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of LRPs cytoplasmic domain results in increased association of the adaptor protein Shc with LRP and that Shc recognizes the second NPXY motif within LRPs cytoplasmic domain. In the accompanying paper, Boucher et al. (Boucher, P., Liu, P. V., Gotthardt, M., Hiesberger, T., Anderson, R. G. W., and Herz, J. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 15507-15513) reveal that LRP is found in caveolae along with the PDGF receptor. Together, these studies suggest that LRP functions as a co-receptor that modulates signal transduction pathways initiated by the PDGF receptor.     

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) controls endocytosis and c-CBL-mediated ubiquitination of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR beta)

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) has been implicated in intracellular signaling functions as well as in lipid metabolism. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that LRP1 is a physiological modulator of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathway. Here we show that in mouse fibroblasts LRP1 modulates PDGF-BB signaling by controlling endocytosis and ligand-induced down-regulation of the PDGF receptor beta (PDGFRbeta). In LRP1-deficient fibroblasts, basal PDGFRbeta tyrosine kinase activity was derepressed, and PDGF-BB-induced endocytosis and degradation of PDGFRbeta were accelerated as compared with control cells. This was accompanied by rapid uptake of receptor-bound PDGF-BB into the cells and by attenuated ERK activation in response to PDGF-BB stimulation. Pulse-chase analysis indicated that the steady-state turnover rate of PDGFRbeta was also accelerated in LRP-deficient fibroblasts. The rapid degradation of PDGFRbeta in the LRP1-deficient fibroblasts was prevented by MG132 and chloroquine. Furthermore, the association of PDGFRbeta with c-Cbl, a ubiquitin E3-ligase, as well as the ligand-induced ubiquitination of PDGFRbeta were increased in LRP1-deficient fibroblasts. We show that LRP1 can directly interact with c-Cbl, suggesting a Sprouty-like role for LRP1 in regulating the access of the PDGFRbeta to the ubiquitination machinery. Thus, LRP1 modulates PDGF signaling by controlling ubiquitination and endocytosis of the PDGFRbeta.     

During muscle ageing the activation of the mitogenic signalling is not sufficient to guarantee cellular duplication

Satellite cells are quiescent cells that can be induced to proliferate by a variety of stimuli such as injury and exercise, providing in this way a source of new myoblasts that repopulate the damaged muscle. It is well known that, as senescence progresses, the muscle regenerative potential progressively diminishes, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are not yet completely defined. Many growth factors, including Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF-BB)*, have been associated to satellite cells activation, acting as potent mitogenic agents for these cells. The aim of this study is to explore if the diminished response of senescent myoblasts to growth stimuli could be due to the inability to receive and transduce hormonal signals. Herein, we demonstrate that that although PDGF-r expression is down-regulated during senescence, the receptor is fully able to be phosphorylated and to transmit the signal. Although senescent myoblasts display increased level of phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), neither the PDGF receptor (PDGF-r) phosphorylation level nor the citosolic signal transduction machinery is affected. Indeed, we demonstrated that senescent human myoblasts are able to initiate a proper mitogenic signalling cascade, since the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and phosphatydil inositole 3 kinase (PI-3K) pathways is similar in young and senescent cells. Our data underline that, despite a conserved capability to activate PDGF-r after agonist stimulation and a functional signal transduction machinery, the mitogenic signal initiated by growth factors in senescent cells does not lead to cell division, being unable to overcome the cell cycle block, likely caused by the accumulation of the inhibitor p21WAF1.     

Mutational analysis of the interaction between the bovine papillomavirus E5 transforming protein and the endogenous beta receptor for platelet-derived growth factor in mouse C127 cells.

The bovine papillomavirus E5 protein is a 44-amino-acid membrane-associated protein that forms a stable complex with the endogenous platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta receptor in rodent and bovine fibroblasts, resulting in sustained receptor activation and cell transformation. We report here that high-level expression of the E5 protein caused a reduction in the level of the mature form of the PDGF beta receptor in acutely and stably transformed mouse C127 cells. To explore in more detail the interaction of the E5 protein and the PDGF beta receptor, we tested the abilities of various E5 point mutants to bind the PDGF receptor, to induce PDGF receptor down-regulation and tyrosine phosphorylation, and to transform cells. A transformation-competent mutant, like the wild-type E5 protein, bound the receptor and induced receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and down-regulation. Transformation-defective E5 proteins either failed to interact with the endogenous PDGF beta receptor in mouse fibroblasts or underwent an aberrant interaction with the receptor. Mutation of glutamine at position 17, aspartic acid at position 33, or both carboxyl-terminal cysteine residues required for E5 homodimerization interfered with stable complex formation with the PDGF receptor, tyrosine phosphorylation and down-regulation of the receptor, and cell transformation. Point mutations at several other carboxyl-terminal positions generated transformation-defective E5 proteins that formed a complex with the PDGF receptor and induced receptor tyrosine phosphorylation but did not induce PDGF receptor down-regulation. Either PDGF receptor activation is not sufficient for transformation of C127 cells or the receptors that are tyrosine phosphorylated in response to these mutant E5 proteins are not fully activated and therefore are not able to deliver a mitogenic signal.     

Role of phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha(2)-macroglobulin receptor (LRP)

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (alpha(2)MR/LRP) is a cell surface receptor which is present on most cells and tissues. We show that the 85 kDa subunit, containing the transmembrane region and cytoplasmic domain is phosphorylated in vivo. Comparison of the phosphorylation of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) with a chimeric receptor containing the cytoplasmic domain of the alpha(2)MR/LRP (LDLR/LRP) showed that phosphorylation is exclusive to the cytoplasmic domain. Staurosporine, a general kinase inhibitor, resulted in a 40% lowering of phosphorylation of LDLR/LRP, but did not give rise to measurable changes in its membrane traffic in MDCK cells. The role of phosphorylation on degradation of the receptor was studied using inhibitors of lysosomal and proteasomal degradation. These studies showed that LDLR/LRP was rapidly turned over by proteasomal degradation but that this turnover was also not a consequence of phosphorylation.     

Insight into the role of low molecular weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) on platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-r) signaling. LMW-PTP controls PDGF-r kinase activity through TYR-857 dephosphorylation

Low molecular weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) is an enzyme involved in platelet-derived growth factor-induced mitogenesis and cytoskeleton rearrangement. Our previous results demonstrated that LMW-PTP is able to bind and dephosphorylate activated platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-r), thus inhibiting cell proliferation. Here we revisit the role of LMW-PTP on activated PDGF-r dephosphorylation. We demonstrate that LMW-PTP preferentially acts on cell surface PDGF-r, excluding the internalized activated receptor pool. Many phosphotyrosine phosphatases act by site-selective dephosphorylation on several sites of PDGF-r, but until now, there has been no evidence of a direct involvement of a specific phosphotyrosine phosphatase in the dephosphorylation of the 857 kinase domain activation tyrosine. Here we report that LMW-PTP affects the kinase activity of the receptor through the binding and dephosphorylation of Tyr-857 and influences many of the signal outputs from the receptor. In particular, we demonstrate a down-regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Src homology phosphatase-2, and phospholipase C-gamma1 binding but not of MAPK activation. In addition, we report a slight action of LMW-PTP on Tyr-716, which directs MAPK activation through Grb2 binding. On the basis of these results, we propose a key role for LMW-PTP in PDGF-r down-regulation through the dephosphorylation of the activation loop Tyr-857, thus determining a general negative regulation of all downstream signals, with the exception of those elicited by internalized receptors.     

Platelet-derived growth factor mediates tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoplasmic domain of the low Density lipoprotein receptor-related protein in caveolae

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene family represents a class of multifunctional, endocytic cell surface receptors. Recently, roles in cellular signaling have also emerged. For instance, the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and the apolipoprotein receptor-2 (apoER2) function in a developmental signaling pathway that regulates the lamination of cortical layers in the brain and involves the activation of tyrosine kinases. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic domain of the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) was found to be a substrate for the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src, but the physiological significance of this phosphorylation event remained unknown. Here we show that tyrosine phosphorylation of LRP occurs in caveolae and involves the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor beta and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Receptor-associated protein, an antagonist of ligand binding to LRP, and apoE-enriched beta-VLDL, a ligand for LRP, reduce PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the LRP cytoplasmic domain. In the accompanying paper (Loukinova, E., Ranganathan, S., Kuznetsov, S., Gorlatova, N., Migliorini, M., Ulery, P. G., Mikhailenko, I., Lawrence, D. L., and Strickland, D. K. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 15499-15506) Loukinova et al. further demonstrate that one form of PDGF, PDGF-BB, binds specifically to LRP and that phosphorylation of LRP requires the activation of Src family kinases. Taken together, these findings provide a biochemical basis for a cellular signaling pathway that involves apoE and LRP.     

Calcium and growth responses of hyperresponsive airway smooth muscle to different isoforms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass is likely to be an important determinant of airway responsiveness. Highly inbred Fisher rats model innate hyperresponsiveness, and also have more ASM in vivo than control Lewis rats. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) is an important endogenous growth factor for ASM, and partially purified PDGF-AB causes enhanced growth of Fisher rat ASM cells, compared to Lewis cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the mitogenic effects of all three recombinant PDGF isoforms on ASM cells, and investigate the mechanisms of enhanced Fisher ASM growth responses. The potential mechanisms assessed include PDGF receptor expression and activation (tyrosine phosphorylation), and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) responses to PDGF isoforms. Fisher ASM cells had a greater mitogenic response to PDGF-AB and -AA, and a greater Ca2+ response to -BB than Lewis ASM cells. A Ca2+ response was not necessary for a mitogenic response, and the effects of PDGF isoforms on Ca2+ were not associated with their effects on growth. Therefore, we suggest that enhanced Fisher mitogenic response to PDGF-AA and -AB is not mediated by differences in Ca2+ signalling. Western analysis of the PDGF receptor indicated a similar expression of beta-PDGF receptor in ASM cells from the two rat strains, but a greater expression of alpha-PDGF receptor in Fisher cells; however, phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor following growth stimulation did not differ between strains. This suggests a role for post-receptor signals, in addition to enhanced receptor expression, in the enhanced growth response of Fisher ASM cells to PDGF-AA and -AB.     

Platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated migration of murine fibroblasts is associated with epidermal growth factor receptor expression and tyrosine phosphorylation

Previous studies have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) synergizes with various extracellular matrix components in promoting the migration of B82L fibroblasts expressing wild-type EGF receptors and that functional EGF receptors are critical for the conversion of B82L fibroblasts to a migratory cell type (). In the present study, we examined the effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the motility of B82L fibroblasts using a microchemotaxis chamber. We found that PDGF can enhance fibronectin-induced migration of B82L fibroblasts expressing wild-type EGF receptors (B82L-clone B3). However, B82L cells that lack the EGF receptor (B82L-parental) or that express an EGF receptor that is kinase-inactive (B82L-K721M) or C-terminally truncated (B82L-c'973) exhibit little PDGF-stimulated migration. In addition, none of these three cell lines exhibit the capacity to migrate to fibronectin alone. These observations indicate that, similar to cell migration toward fibronectin, PDGF-induced cell migration of B82L fibroblasts is augmented by the expression of an intact EGF receptor kinase. The loss of PDGF-stimulated motility in B82L cells that do not express an intact EGF receptor does not appear to result from a gross dysfunction of PDGF receptors, because ligand-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF-beta receptor and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases are readily detectable in these cells. Moreover, an interaction between EGF and PDGF receptor systems is supported by the observation that the EGF receptor exhibits an increase in phosphotyrosine content in a time-dependent fashion upon the addition of PDGF. Altogether, these studies demonstrate that the expression of EGF receptor is critical for PDGF-stimulated migration of murine B82L fibroblasts and suggest a role for the EGF receptor downstream of PDGF receptor activation in the signaling events that lead to PDGF-stimulated cell motility.     

Reconstitution of epidermal growth factor receptor transmodulation by platelet-derived growth factor in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) causes an acute decrease in the high affinity binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to cell surface receptors and an increase in the phosphorylation state of the EGF receptor at threonine654. The hypothesis that PDGF action to regulate the EGF receptor is mediated by the activation of protein kinase C and the subsequent phosphorylation of EGF receptor threonine654 was tested. The human receptors for PDGF and EGF were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells that lack expression of endogenous receptors for these growth factors. The heterologous regulation of the EGF receptor by PDGF was reconstituted in cells expressing [Thr654]EGF receptors or [Ala654]EGF receptors. PDGF action was also observed in phorbol ester down-regulated cells that lack detectable protein kinase C activity. Together these data indicate that neither protein kinase C nor the phosphorylation of EGF receptor threonine654 is required for the regulation of the apparent affinity of the EGF receptor by PDGF.     

Sphingosine 1-phosphate and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) act via PDGF beta receptor-sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor complexes in airway smooth muscle cells

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) act via PDGF beta receptor-S1P(1) receptor complexes in airway smooth muscle cells to promote mitogenic signaling. Several lines of evidence support this conclusion. First, both receptors were co-immunoprecipitated from cell lysates with specific anti-S1P(1) antibodies, indicating that they form a complex. Second, treatment of airway smooth muscle cells with PDGF stimulated the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK, and this phosphorylated p42/p44 MAPK associates with the PDGF beta receptor-S1P(1) receptor complex. Third, treatment of cells with antisense S1P(1) receptor plasmid construct reduced the PDGF- and S1P-dependent activation of p42/p44 MAPK. Fourth, S1P and/or PDGF induced the formation of endocytic vesicles containing both PDGF beta receptors and S1P(1) receptors, which was required for activation of the p42/p44 MAPK pathway. PDGF does not induce the release of S1P, suggesting the absence of a sequential mechanism. However, sphingosine kinase 1 is constitutively exported from cells and supports activation of p42/p44 MAPK by exogenous sphingosine. Thus, the presentation of sphingosine from other cell types and its conversion to S1P by the kinase exported from airway smooth muscle cells might enable S1P to act with PDGF on the PDGF beta receptor-S1P(1) receptor complex to induce biological responses in vivo. These data provide further evidence for a novel mechanism for G-protein-coupled receptor and receptor tyrosine kinase signal integration that is distinct from the transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases by G-protein-coupled receptor agonists and/or sequential release and action of S1P in response to PDGF.     

A comparison of the platelet-derived growth factor-dependent tyrosine kinase activity in sparse and confluent fibroblasts

Confluent (density-inhibited) human foreskin fibroblasts require a higher concentration of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to elicit a mitogenic response than do sparse (nondensity-inhibited) fibroblasts. The PDGF receptor number and apparent affinity were similar in the two preparations of cells. The intrinsic kinase activity of the PDGF receptor from sparse and confluent fibroblasts was therefore examined in an attempt to explain the differential mitogenic response to PDGF. When membranes from sparse and confluent cells containing equal PDGF binding capacity were incubated with increasing concentrations of PDGF, the putative PDGF receptor (a 180-kD component), was phosphorylated on its tyrosyl residues to a similar extent. The time course of tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor from sparse and confluent cell membranes was also found to be similar. To determine whether the phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor from isolated membranes differed from the analogous phosphorylation in intact cells, sparse and confluent fibroblasts were metabolically labeled with [32P]H3PO4, stimulated with PDGF, solubilized, and the cell proteins were immunoprecipitated with a phosphotyrosine-specific antibody. The extent of PDGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor from sparse vs. confluent fibroblasts was quite similar. The time course of the tyrosine dephosphorylation of the PDGF receptor was also similar in the two populations. Because comparable extents of PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor were observed despite the differential PDGF-induced mitogenic response of sparse and confluent fibroblasts, we tentatively conclude that 1) PDGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor is not tightly coupled to the propagation of the mitogenic signal and 2) density-dependent inhibition of growth does not reflect any measurable change in the quantity of kinase activity of the PDGF receptor.     

Dopamine D2 receptor stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases mediated by cell type-dependent transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases

Dopamine D2 receptor activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in non-neuronal human embryonic kidney 293 cells was dependent on transactivation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor, as demonstrated by the effect of the PDGF receptor inhibitors tyrphostin A9 and AG 370 on quinpirole-induced phosphorylation of ERKs and by quinpirole-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor. In contrast, ectopically expressed D2 receptor or endogenous D2-like receptor activation of ERKs in NS20Y neuroblastoma cells, which express little or no PDGF receptor, or in rat neostriatal neurons was largely dependent on transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, as demonstrated using the EGF receptor inhibitor AG 1478 and by quinpirole-induced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor. The D2 receptor agonist quinpirole enhanced the coprecipitation of D2 and EGF receptors in NS20Y cells, suggesting that D2 receptor activation induced the formation of a macromolecular signaling complex that includes both receptors. Transactivation of the EGF receptor also involved the activity of a matrix metalloproteinase. Thus, although D2 receptor stimulation of ERKs in both cell lines was decreased by inhibitors of ERK kinase, Src-family protein tyrosine kinases, and serine/threonine protein kinases, D2-like receptors activated ERKs via transactivation of the EGF receptor in NS20Y neuroblastoma cells and rat embryonic neostriatal neurons, but via transactivation of the PDGF receptor in 293 cells.     

Activation of phospholipase C gamma in Schizosaccharomyces pombe by coexpression of receptor or nonreceptor tyrosine kinases.

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has no detectable endogenous receptor tyrosine kinases or associated signalling apparatus, and we have used this cell system to reconstitute mammalian platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGF beta) receptor-linked activation of phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLC gamma 2). The PDGF beta receptor migrates as a glycosylated protein of 165 kDa associated exclusively with membrane fractions. No tyrosine autophosphorylation was detected when PDGF beta was expressed alone. PLC gamma 2 appears as a 140-kDa protein distributed between particulate and soluble fractions which exhibits characteristic selectivity for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and is sensitive to powerful activation by Ca2+. When coexpressed, both PDGF beta and PLC gamma 2 undergo tyrosine phosphorylation, and this is accompanied by a > 26-fold increase in [3H]inositol 4,5-biphosphate ([3H]IP2) and [3H]inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate [3H]IP3 production. Treatment with the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate further increased PLC gamma 2 tyrosine phosphorylation as well as [3H]IP2 and [3H]IP3 generation. Phosphorylated PLC gamma 2 was found predominantly in membrane fractions. To test a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, we then expressed the human proto-oncogene c-src together with its negative regulator Csk. These were immunodetectable as bands at 60 kDa (c-Src) and 50 kDa (Csk) and distributed between membrane and cytosolic fractions. When yeast coexpressing c-Src, Csk, and PLC gamma 2 was incubated with pervanadate, PLC gamma 2 was tyrosine phosphorylated and [3H]IP2 and [3H]IP3 production increased 11.0- and 7.0-fold, respectively. Csk expressed alone with PLC gamma 2 was ineffective. Similar PLC gamma 2 activation was observed upon in vitro mixing with the extracts expressing either c-Src or the PDGF beta receptor. In summary, this is the first report of a reconstitution of mammalian tyrosine kinase-linked effector activation in yeast cells and also the first demonstration of direct PLC gamma 2 activation by the proto-oncogene c-src. These observations indicate that S. pombe provides a powerful cell system in which to study critical molecular interactions and activities underlying receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinase-dependent cell signaling.     

Establishment of a differentiated mesodermal line from P19 EC cells expressing functional PDGF and EGF receptors

Aggregation of pluripotent P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells in the presence of DMSO induces differentiation to various mesodermal cell types, including spontaneously contracting muscle. We have established clonal cell lines from these cultures and characterized one (MES-1) in particular for its response to growth factors. In contrast to the undifferentiated stem cells, but as a number of myoblast and muscle cell lines, MES-1 cells respond to both carbachol and bradykinin by the rapid release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. In addition, MES-1 express receptors for and respond mitogenically to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Isolated membranes from these cells retain the capacity to bind both ligands; addition of EGF to membranes induces endogenous phosphorylation of several proteins, including the EGF receptor itself and a 38 kD protein, while addition of PDGF specifically induces phosphorylation of the PDGF receptor. By contrast, other derivatives of P19, isolated from retinoic acid (RA)-treated aggregates and resembling neuroectodermal or endodermal cell types respond only to EGF; PDGF neither binds nor induces phosphorylation and a mitogenic response in these cells. During differentiation from EC cells therefore MES-1 cells developed a combination of growth factor receptor characteristics typical of somatic mesodermal cells and indicate that such receptors on EC-derived mesodermal cells are also functional.     

Ligand-independent activation of the platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor: requirements for bovine papillomavirus E5-induced mitogenic signaling.

The E5 protein of bovine papillomavirus type 1 binds to and activates the endogenous platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta receptor in fibroblasts, resulting in cell transformation. We have developed a functional assay to test the ability of PDGF beta receptor mutants to mediate a mitogenic signal initiated by the E5 protein. Lymphoid Ba/F3 cells are strictly dependent on interleukin-3 for growth, but coexpression of the wild-type PDGF beta receptor and the E5 or v-sis-encoded protein generated a mitogenic signal which allowed Ba/F3-derived cells to proliferate in the absence of interleukin-3. In these cells, the E5 protein bound to and caused increased tyrosine phosphorylation of both the mature and the precursor forms of the wild-type PDGF beta receptor. The tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor was necessary for E5-induced receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and mitogenic activity but not for complex formation with the E5 protein. In contrast, the PDGF-binding domain of the receptor was not required for complex formation with the E5 protein, E5-induced tyrosine phosphorylation or mitogenic activity, demonstrating that E5-mediated receptor activation is ligand independent. Analysis of receptor mutants lacking various combinations of tyrosine phosphorylation sites revealed that the E5 and v-sis-encoded proteins display similar requirements for signaling and suggested that the wild-type PDGF beta receptor can generate multiple independent mitogenic signals. Importantly, these mutants dissociated two activities of the PDGF beta receptor tyrosine kinase, both of which are required for sustained mitogenic signaling: (i) receptor autophosphorylation and creation of binding sites for SH2 domain-containing proteins and (ii) phosphorylation of substrates other than the receptor itself.     

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates PDGF receptor subunit dimerization and intersubunit trans-phosphorylation.

High affinity binding of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been proposed to involve the interaction of the dimeric PDGF ligand with two receptor subunits, designated alpha and beta. We have cloned and expressed a human PDGF receptor cDNA which differs in sequence from the beta-subunit and which has the PDGF binding properties and monoclonal antibody recognition, predicted for the alpha-subunit. Scatchard analysis indicated that PDGF-AA and PDGF-AB bound to transfected alpha-subunits with affinities of Kd = 0.06 and 0.05 nM, respectively. PDGF-BB bound with a significantly lower affinity (Kd = 0.4 nM). Nevertheless, this affinity is still great enough to mediate substantial PDGF-BB binding at physiological concentrations and would be considered to be "high affinity." We have used wild-type and kinase-inactive human beta-subunits to show that PDGF binding promotes receptor subunit dimerization in intact cells. In addition, we found that PDGF stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the kinase-inactive beta-subunit when it is expressed with alpha-subunits. The kinase-inactive beta-subunits were phosphorylated at tyrosine 857 and 751, the major phosphorylation sites of the wild-type beta-subunit, indicating either that intra- and intermolecular phosphorylation occurs on the same sites, or that a significant fraction of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation is intermolecular.