7-Alkyl- and 7-cycloalkyl-5-aryl-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines--potent inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase c-Src

7-Substituted-5-aryl-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines have been prepared starting from alpha-bromoacetophenones. These compounds represent a novel class of potent inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase pp60(c-Src) with good specificity towards other tyrosine kinases (EGF-R, v-Abl).     

Antibody-induced dimerization activates the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase

The relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) protein tyrosine kinase activation and ligand-induced receptor dimerization was investigated using several bivalent anti-EGF-R antibodies directed against various receptor epitopes. In A431 membrane preparations and permeabilized cells, all antibodies were able to activate the EGF-R tyrosine kinase, as measured by EGF-R autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of other substrates on tyrosine residues. EGF-R tyrosine kinase activation correlated strongly with the induction of EGF-R dimerization. (i) Both processes specifically occurred in a narrow antibody concentration range; (ii) both processes required the presence of detergent; and (iii) both processes depended on antibody bivalence since monovalent Fab fragments were inactive yet regained full activity after cross-linking by a second bivalent antibody. These data demonstrate that antibody bivalence is essential and sufficient for EGF-R activation and that activation occurs regardless of the EGF-R epitope recognized. Finally, EGF-R dimerization was shown not to depend on receptor autophosphorylation since it still occurred in the absence of ATP. Also, partial inhibition of the tyrosine kinase activity by the specific EGF-R tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin AG 213 did not affect formation of EGF-R dimers. Taken together these results demonstrate that induction of EGF-R dimerization is sufficient and in case of antibody action, essential, for activation of the EGF-R tyrosine kinase and thus provide strong support for an intermolecular mechanism of EGF-R tyrosine kinase activation.     

Recruitment of epidermal growth factor receptors into coated pits requires their activated tyrosine kinase

EGF-receptor (EGF-R) tyrosine kinase is required for the down- regulation of activated EGF-R. However, controversy exists as to whether ligand-induced activation of the EGF-R tyrosine kinase is required for internalization or for lysosomal targeting. We have addressed this issue using a cell-free assay that selectively measures the recruitment of EGF-R into coated pits. Here we show that EGF bound to wild-type receptors is efficiently sequestered in coated pits. In contrast, sequestration of kinase-deficient receptors occurs inefficiently and at the same basal rate of endocytosis of unoccupied receptors or receptors lacking any cytoplasmic domain. Sequestration of deletion mutants of the EGF-R that lack autophosphorylation sites also requires an active tyrosine kinase. This suggests that a tyrosine kinase substrate(s) other than the EGF-R itself, is required for its efficient ligand-induced recruitment into coated pits. Addition of a soluble EGF-R tyrosine kinase fully and specifically restores the recruitment of kinase-deficient EGF-R into coated pits providing a powerful functional assay for identification of these substrate(s).     

Genistein and erbstatin inhibition of normal mammary epithelial cell proliferation is associated with EGF-receptor down-regulation

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen for normal mouse mammary epithelial cells grown in primary culture. EGF activation of the EGF-receptor (EGF-R) induces intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity which results in EGF-R autophosphorylation and tyrosine phosphorylation of other intracellular substrates involved in EGF-R signal transduction. Genistein and erbstatin are anticancer agents which have been shown to be potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, the effects of these compounds in modulating EGF-dependent normal mammary epithelial cell proliferation is presently unknown. Therefore, studies were conducted to determine the effects of genistein and erbstatin on EGF-dependent proliferation, and EGF-R levels and autophosphorylation in normal mouse mammary epithelial cells grown in primary culture and maintained in serum-free media. Chronic treatment with 6.25–100 μM genistein or 1–16 μM erbstatin significantly decreased EGF-dependent mammary epithelial cell proliferation in a dose-responsive manner. However, the highest doses of genistein (100 μM ) and erbstatin (16 μM ) were found to be cytotoxic. Additional studies showed that acute treatment with 6.25–400 μM genistein did not affect EGF-R levels or EGF-induced EGF-R autophosphorylation, while acute treatment with 1–64 μM erbstatin caused a slight reduction in EGF-R levels, but had no effect on EGF-dependent EGF-R autophosphorylation in these cells. In contrast, chronic treatment with similar doses of genistein or erbstatin resulted in a large dose-responsive decrease in EGF-R levels, and a corresponding decrease in total cellular EGF-R autophosphorylation intensity. These results demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of chronic genistein and erbstatin treatment on EGF-dependent mammary epithelial cell proliferation is not due to a direct inhibition of EGF-R tyrosine kinase activity, but results primarily from a down-regulation in EGF-R levels and subsequent decrease in mammary epithelial cell mitogenic-responsiveness to EGF stimulation.     

A highly conserved tyrosine residue at codon 845 within the kinase domain is not required for the transforming activity of human epidermal growth factor receptor.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) is a widely expressed ligand-dependent tyrosine kinase. The tyrosine residue at 845 in EGF-R corresponds to Y416 of v/c-src kinase, which is highly conserved and functionally important in many tyrosine kinases. To clarify the functional role of Y845, we constructed a mutant human EGF-R in which this tyrosine was replaced with phenylalanine and transfected it to NIH3T3 cells. EGF-R F845 induced EGF-dependent cellular transformation and revealed tyrosine-autophosphorylation of a 170 kDa protein, and initiated DNA synthesis similar to the wild-type EGF-R. We conclude here that Y845 is dispensable in the above mentioned functions of EGF-R tyrosine kinase.     

Antibody-induced activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase requires the presence of detergent

Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) tyrosine kinase was investigated in membrane preparations as well as intact A431 cells, using anti-EGF-R antibodies directed against extra- and intracellular receptor domains. In vitro assay conditions were mimicked on whole cells by a mild detergent treatment. We show that, irrespective of the recognition site on the EGF-R, antibodies induce EGF-R autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity towards other endogenous and exogenous substrates, but only when detergent is present. We propose that the primary effect of detergent is to create conditions in the lipid environment of the EGF-R that allow antibodies to induce receptor-receptor interactions necessary for tyrosine kinase activation.     

Anti-oncogenic activity of signalling-defective epidermal growth factor receptor mutants.

Overexpression and autocrine activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) cause transformation of cultured cells and correlate with tumor progression in cancer patients. Dimerization and transphosphorylation are crucial events in the process by which receptors with tyrosine kinase activity generate normal and transforming cellular signals. Interruption of this process by inactive receptor mutants offers the potential to inhibit ligand-induced cellular responses. Using recombinant retroviruses, we have examined the effects of signalling-incompetent EGF-R mutants on the growth-promoting and transforming potential of ligand-activated, overexpressed wild-type EGF-R and the v-erbB oncogene product. Expression of a soluble extracellular EGF-R domain had little if any effect on the growth and transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by either tyrosine kinase. However, both a kinase-negative EGF-R point mutant (HERK721A) and an EGF-R lacking 533 C-terminal amino acids efficiently inhibited wild-type EGF-R-mediated, de novo DNA synthesis and cell transformation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, coexpression with the v-erbBES4 oncogene product in NIH 3T3 cells resulted in transphosphorylation of the HERK721A mutant receptor and reduced soft-agar colony growth but had no effect in a focus formation assay. These results demonstrate that signalling-defective receptor tyrosine kinase mutants differentially interfere with oncogenic signals generated by either overexpressed EGF-R or the retroviral v-erbBES4 oncogene product.     

Development of solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the determination of epidermal growth factor receptor and pp60c-src tyrosine protein kinase activity.

Solid-phase ELISAs for the determination of EGF receptor (EGF-R) and pp60c-src tyrosine protein kinase activity are described. The methods were developed and optimized using purified recombinant EGF-R intracellular domain (ICD) and pp60c-src tyrosine protein kinases. A standardized assay that utilizes poly (GluNa-Tyr)4:1 as substrate and a monoclonal antiphosphotyrosine antibody for detection is described. Assay conditions for both enzymes were optimized with respect to substrate and ELISA plate-coating condition, divalent metal ion preferences, enzyme concentration, apparent kinetic constants for ATP, and reaction linearity. Following standardization, a number of reference tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors were tested in the ELISAs and compared to results obtained using solution-phase radioactive tyrosine protein kinase assays, which are based on the transfer of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP to synthetic substrate. To enable a comprehensive comparison, IC50 values obtained in the ELISA were compared with values obtained in radioactive assays using both the holo-EGF-R and EGF-R ICD kinases. No substantial qualitative differences between these assays were seen. For many routine tyrosine protein kinase assays, semiquantitative or qualitative measurement of TPK activity is adequate. For such purposes, the ELISAs would be an attractive alternative to radioactive assays.     

Early events in the antiproliferative action of tumor necrosis factor are similar to the early events in epidermal growth factor growth stimulation

The process of TNF-induced cytotoxicity is complex but appears to be mediated through a TNF-specific cell surface receptor. Recent evidence suggests that TNF action on tumor cells may be antagonized by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and other EGF-receptor modulatory peptides implicating a role for EGF-R in the process of TNF-induced cytotoxicity. In the present report, we investigated the biochemical actions of TNF on several biochemical events known to occur in the process of EGF signal transduction in intact cells. The actions of TNF were compared directly to those of EGF in both TNF-sensitive and -resistant tumor cell lines. In TNF-sensitive ME-180 cervical carcinoma cells, TNF (20 ng/ml) stimulated the tyrosine protein kinase activity of the EGF-receptor (EGF-R) fivefold when measured by receptor autophosphorylation in an immune complex kinase assay. TNF activation of EGF-R kinase activity in ME-180 was measurable 10 min after TNF incubation and enzymatic activity remained elevated 20 min after TNF addition. Activation of the receptor by TNF correlated with increased 32P incorporation into EGF-R protein when receptor was immunoprecipitated from 32P-equilibrated cells following a 20 min incubation with TNF. Acid hydrolysis of EGF-R protein isolated from TNF-treated ME-180 cells demonstrates an increase in the phosphotyrosine content of EGF-R when compared to receptor isolated from untreated cells. The results suggest that TNF increased EGF-R tyrosine protein kinase activity and the state of EGF-receptor tyrosine phosphorylation in a manner similar to that reported for EGF. However, TNF does not appear to be structurally related to EGF since TNF was unable to directly activate EGF-R when incubated with extensively washed immunoprecipitates of EGF-R. In TNF-resistant T24 bladder carcinoma cells, TNF failed to alter EGF-R tyrosine protein kinase activity although both EGF and phorbol ester were shown to modulate the enzymatic activity of the receptor in these cells. These results indicate that the ability of TNF to modulate EGF-R kinase in target cells may correlate with its cytotoxic actions on TNF-sensitive tumor cells. Other biochemical activities associated with the induction or regulation of cellular growth were examined in TNF- or EGF-treated tumor cells. EGF stimulated a rapid 8-16-fold increase in the expression of the proto-oncogene c-myc when analyzed by dot-blot analysis of total cellular RNA or Northern blot hybridization of polyadenylated RNA. TNF treatment failed to alter c-myc expression in ME-180 cells when analyzed by either technique.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Association of the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase with the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton of A431 cells

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) on human epidermoid carcinoma cells, A431, was found to be predominantly associated with the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton, where it retained both a functional ligand-binding domain and an intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. The EGF-R was constitutively associated with the A431 cytoskeleton; this association was not a consequence of adventitious binding. The EGF-R was associated with cytoskeletal elements both at the cell surface, within intracellular vesicles mediating the internalization of the hormone-receptor complex, and within lysosomes. The EGF-R became more stably associated with cytoskeletal elements after its internalization. The cytoskeletal association of the EGF-R was partially disrupted on suspension of adherent cells, indicating that alteration of cellular morphology influences the structural association of the EGF-R, and that the EGF-R is not intrinsically insoluble. Cytoskeletons prepared from EGF-treated A431 cells, when incubated with gamma-32P-ATP, demonstrated enhanced autophosphorylation of the EGF-R in situ as well as the phosphorylation of several high molecular weight proteins. In this system, phosphorylation occurs between immobilized kinase and substrate. The EGF-R and several high molecular weight cytoskeletal proteins were phosphorylated on tyrosine residues; two of the latter proteins were phosphorylated transiently as a consequence of EGF action, suggesting that EGF caused the active redistribution of the protein substrates relative to protein kinases. The ability of EGF to stimulate protein phosphorylation in situ required treatment of intact cells at physiological temperatures; addition of EGF directly to cytoskeletons had no effect. These data suggest that the structural association of the EGF-R may play a role in cellular processing of the hormone, as well as in regulation of the EGF-R kinase activity and in specifying its cellular substrates.     

Analysis of the protein kinase activity of moss phytochrome expressed in fibroblast cell culture

In the moss Ceratodon purpureus a phytochrome gene encodes a phytochrome type (PhyCer) which has a C-terminal domain homologous to the catalytic domain of eukaryotic protein kinases (PKs). PhyCer exhibits sequence conservation to serine/ threonine as well to tyrosine kinases. Since PhyCer is expressed very weakly in moss cells, to investigate the proposed PK activity of PhyCer, we overexpressed PhyCer transiently in fibroblast cells. For this purpose we made a chimeric receptor, EC-R, which consists of the extracellular, the membrane-spanning and the juxtamembrane domains of the human epidermal growth-factor receptor (EGF-R) linked to the PK catalytic domain of PhyCer (CerKin). The expression of EC-R in transiently transfected cells was confirmed with antibodies directed against the extracellular domain of EGF-R or against CerKin. Both EGF-R and EC-R were immunoprecipitated from lysates of overexpressing cells with antibodies against the extracellular domain of EGF-R. Phosphorylation experiments were performed with the immunoprecipitates and the phosphorylation products were subjected to phosphoamino acid analysis. Phosphorylation products specifically obtained with EC-R-transfected cells exhibit phosphorylation on serine and threonine residues. In EC-R transfected cells the endogenous EGF-R showed enhanced phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues compared to EGF-R immuno-precipitated from control cells. Although CerKin is closest to the catalytic domain of a protein tyrosine kinase from Dictyostelium discoideum, EC-R does not appear to phosphorylate tyrosine residues in vitro. From our data we conclude that PhyCer carries an active PK domain capable of phosphorylating serine and threonine residues.Abbreviations CerKin protein kinase catalytic domain of PhyCer - EC-R chimeric receptor consisting of the extracellular, the membrane spanning and the juxtamembrane domains of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) linked to the protein kinase catalytic domain of PhyCer - EGF-R epidermal growth factor receptor - mAb monoclonal antibody - PhyCer phytochrome gene in Ceratodon encoding a phytochrome type which has a C-terminal domain homologous to the catalytic domain of eucaryotic protein kinases - PK protein kinase - PVDF polyvinyl difluoride - Ser serine - Thr threonine - Tyr tyrosine Dr. Patricia Algarra was supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Bonn, Germany.     

Mechanisms of extracellularly regulated kinases 1/2 activation in adrenal glomerulosa cells by lysophosphatidic acid and epidermal growth factor

The regulation of adrenal function, including aldosterone production from adrenal glomerulosa cells, is dependent on a variety of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). In many cell types, GPCR-mediated MAPK activation is mediated through transactivation of RTKs, in particular the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGF-R). However, the extent to which this cross-communication between GPCRs and RTKs is operative in the adrenal glomerulosa has not been defined. Bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells express receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and EGF. In cultured bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, LPA, which is predominantly coupled to Gi and partially to Gq/protein kinase C alpha and epsilon, caused phosphorylation of Src (at Tyr416), proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2 at Tyr402), EGF-R, protein kinase B/Akt, extracellularly regulated signal kinases 1/2, and their dependent protein, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase. Overexpression of dominant negative mutants of Ras or EGF-R, and selective inhibition of EGF-R kinase with AG1478, significantly reduced LPA-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, this was not impaired by inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and heparin-binding EGF. LPA-induced ERK1/2 activation occurs predominantly through EGF-R transactivation by Gi/Src and partly through activation of protein kinase C, which acts downstream of EGF-R and Ras. In contrast, LPA-induced phosphorylation of Shc and ERK1/2 in clonal hepatocytes (C9 cells) was primarily mediated through MMP-dependent transactivation of the EGF-R. These observations in adrenal glomerulosa and hepatic cells demonstrate that LPA phosphorylates ERK1/2 through EGF-R transactivation in a MMP-dependent or -independent manner in individual target cells. This reflects the ability of GPCRs expressed in cell lines and neoplastic cells to utilize distinct signaling pathways that can elicit altered responses compared with those of native tissues.     

EGF-induced EGF-receptor and MAP kinase phosphorylation in goat cumulus cells during in vitro maturation

EGF has been shown to influence meiotic maturation and development competence of oocyte in various mammalian species. We previously reported, in goat, that the EGF receptor (EGF-R) was present both on cumulus cells and oocytes. Here, EGF-induced signaling was investigated during the in vitro maturation process in goat cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Cumulus cells and oocytes were subjected to Western immunoblotting analysis using anti-MAP kinase, anti-phosphotyrosine, anti-phospho MAP kinase, and anti-phospho EGF-R antibodies. We demonstrated that treatment with EGF during the in vitro maturation process induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF-R in a time and concentration dependent manner in cumulus cells. A similar pattern of activation by phosphorylation was observed for MAP kinase upon EGF stimulation. AG 1478, an inhibitor of the EGF kinase, suppressed EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of EGF-R and also affected the MAP kinase activation. Treatment with the MEK inhibitor PD 98059 abolished EGF-induced MAP kinase activation. We did not observe oocyte EGF-R phosphorylation in our experiments during the in vitro maturation process. Our data indicate, in goat cumulus cells, that activation of EGF-R by EGF triggers signaling through the MAP kinase pathway during in vitro maturation. This supports the hypothesis that the major site of action for EGF, that regulates oocyte maturation, is the cumulus cell.     

The epidermal growth factor receptor regulates interaction of the human DF3/MUC1 carcinoma antigen with c-Src and beta-catenin

The DF3/MUC1 mucin-like, transmembrane glycoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed in most human carcinomas. The MUC1 cytoplasmic domain interacts with the c-Src tyrosine kinase and thereby increases binding of MUC1 and beta-catenin. In the present work, coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrate that MUC1 associates constitutively with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in human ZR-75-1 breast carcinoma cells. Immunofluorescence studies show that EGF-R and MUC1 associate at the cell membrane. We also show that the activated EGF-R phosphorylates the MUC1 cytoplasmic tail on tyrosine at a YEKV motif that functions as a binding site for the c-Src SH2 domain. The results demonstrate that EGF-R-mediated phosphorylation of MUC1 induces binding of MUC1 to c-Src in cells. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that EGF-R increases binding of MUC1 and beta-catenin. These findings support a novel role for EGF-R in regulating interactions of MUC1 with c-Src and beta-catenin.     

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

Functional relationships between epidermal growth factor (EGF) and neural tissues have of late attracted increasing interest. However, in spite of reported EGF effects on neurons, the expression of the EGF receptor (EGF-R) has not yet been unambiguously demonstrated in these cells. This 170-kDa protein bears an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain in which activity is ligand-dependent. We give definitive evidence here for its presence in neonatal and adult rat neurons showing also, for the first time, its binding and functional tyrosine kinase activities in the synaptic region. Immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody prepared against the receptor purified from rat liver showed positive staining localized exclusively to neurons without regionalization to any particular brain zone. Binding studies made in Percoll-obtained synaptosomes revealed specific high affinity 125I-EGF binding sites (Kd, 1.42 x 10(-10) +/- 0.58 M) accounting for 17% of total binding and a great majority of low affinity (Kd, 2.55 x 10(-9) +/- 0.35 M) binding sites. Higher binding capacity was found in synaptosomal fractions obtained from newborn rats. The identity of the synaptosomal EGF binding activity with the 170-kDA EGF-R protein was demonstrated by cross-linking experiments. Furthermore, EGF-Affi-Prep affinity chromatography adsorbs a 170-kDa protein with EGF-R immunoreactivity from whole homogenates of adult rat brain. Phosphorylation assays made in freeze-thawed or intact synaptosomes showed EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation in the range of 170-, 126-150-, 124-, 113-, 98-, and 70-kDa proteins including the EGF-R. Thus, the EGF-R/EGF regulatory system could have a role in synaptic function that remains to be explored.     

Protease-activated receptor 2 in colon cancer: trypsin-induced MAPK phosphorylation and cell proliferation are mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation

Several lines of evidence suggest that tumor-derived trypsin contributes to the growth and invasion of cancer cells. We have recently shown that trypsin is a potent growth factor for colon cancer cells through activation of the G protein-coupled receptor protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). Here, we analyzed the signaling pathways downstream of PAR2 activation that lead to colon cancer cell proliferation in HT-29 cells. Our data are consistent with the following cascade of events upon activation of PAR2 by the serine protease trypsin or the specific PAR2-activating peptide (AP2): (i) a matrix metalloproteinase-dependent release of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, as demonstrated with TGF-alpha-blocking antibodies and measurement of TGF-alpha in culture medium; (ii) TGF-alpha-mediated activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and subsequent EGF-R phosphorylation; and (iii) activation of ERK1/2 and subsequent cell proliferation. The links between these events are demonstrated by the fact that stimulation of cell proliferation and ERK1/2 upon activation of PAR2 is reversed by the metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat, TGF-alpha-neutralizing antibodies, EGF-R ligand binding domain-blocking antibodies, and the EGF-R tyrosine kinase inhibitors AG1478 and PD168393. Therefore, transactivation of EGF-R appears to be a major mechanism whereby activation of PAR2 results in colon cancer cell growth. By using the Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2, we further showed that Src plays a permissive role for PAR2-mediated ERK1/2 activation and cell proliferation, probably acting downstream of the EGF-R. These data explain how trypsin exerts robust trophic action on colon cancer cells and underline the critical role of EGF-R transactivation.     

Large-scale purification and characterisation of a recombinant epidermal growth-factor receptor protein-tyrosine kinase. Modulation of activity by multiple factors.

The human epidermal-growth-factor receptor (EGF-R) is a 170-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates the mitogenic response of cells to EGF and transforming growth factor alpha. Culture conditions have been developed for the large-scale expression of the cytoplasmic domain of the EGF-R in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus. From 61 Sf9 cells, grown to high density using a bioreactor, 20 mg of the EGF-R kinase was purified to greater than 95% purity. Purification, which was carried out in the absence of detergents using classical purification methods, yielded an EGF-R protein that was not phosphorylated on tyrosine. This procedure has enabled us to produce high quality enzyme for both structural and biochemical studies on the EGF-R kinase. The in vitro activity of the cytoplasmic domain of the EGF-R kinase was modulated by multiple assay factors which include substrates, divalent cations and conformational modulators. Kinetic analysis in the presence of Mn2+ gave an apparent Vmax value of 20 nmol min-1 mg-1 and Km values of 4.5 microM for ATP and 1.43 mM for angiotensin II. This corresponds to a turnover number of 1.4 mol min-1 mol-1. Ammonium sulfate (1 M) resulted in an eightfold stimulation of kinase activity when assayed using angiotensin II as substrate. The specific activity of the intracellular domain of the EGF-R, when assayed at 20 degrees C in the presence of 1M ammonium sulfate, was 160 nmol min-1 mg-1. Activation of the EGF-R kinase by ammonium sulfate was found to be substrate-specific. No activation was found when assayed using polymeric substrates. Addition of Me(2+)-ATP to the purified enzyme resulted in autophosphorylation and was accompanied by retardation of SDS/PAGE migration. Kinetic constants and metal ion preferences of a number of co-polymers and peptide substrates have been compared. Dramatic differences in kinetic constants were found which were dependent on both the substrate and metal ion used. Activation of EGF-R autophosphorylation was found to be influenced by the use of charged polymers. The random polymer of Glu, Lys, Ala, Tyr (2:5:6:1), which was not phosphorylated by the EGF-R kinase, dramatically activates autophosphorylation of the EGF-R. Thus the intracellular domain of the EGF-R appears to be in a low-activity conformation which, under appropriate assay conditions, can be activated to a similar specific activity to that reported for the purified EGF-R holoenzyme.     

Stimulation of gastrin-CCKB receptor promotes migration of gastric AGS cells via multiple paracrine pathways

Responses to G protein-coupled receptor stimulation may be mediated by paracrine factors. We have developed a coculture system to study paracrine regulation of migration of gastric epithelial (AGS) cells after stimulation of gastrin-CCK(B) receptors. In cells expressing this receptor, G-17 stimulated migration by activation of protein kinase C. However, G-17 also stimulated the migration of cells expressing green fluorescent protein, but not the receptor, when they were cocultured with receptor-expressing cells consistent with activation of paracrine signals. The use of various pharmacological inhibitors indicated that gastrin stimulated migration via activation of the EGF receptor (EGR-R), the erbB-2 receptor tyrosine kinase, and the MAP kinase pathway. However, gastrin also released fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1, and migration was inhibited by the FGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU-5402. Flow cytometry indicated that in both cell types, gastrin increased MAP kinase via activation of EGF-R but not FGF-R1 or erbB-2. We conclude that gastrin-CCK(B) receptors stimulate epithelial cell migration partly via paracrine mechanisms; transactivation of EGF-R is only one component of the paracrine pathway.     

Differential heat stress stability of epidermal growth factor receptor and erbB-2 receptor tyrosine kinase activities

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and erbB-2 receptors are structurally related membrane-bound tyrosine kinases. While these proteins exhibit close sequence homology, 50% overall and 80% in the tyrosine kinase domains, they respond very differently to heat stress. In NIH-3T3 or NR6 cells transfected with wild-type EGF-R and incubated at 37°C or heat shocked at 46°C, EGF binds to its receptor and stimulates receptor autophosphorylation to equivalent extents. At 46°C, however, the basal tyrosine kinase activity of the wild-type erbB-2 receptor is rapidly lost. When cells containing chimeric receptors composed of the EGF-R extracellular domain and intracellular domain of erbB-2 were heat stressed, ¹²⁵I-EGF bound to the receptors, but did not stimulate receptor autophosphorylation. The decline in EGF-stimulated chimeric erbB-2 receptor autophosphorylation is dependent on the length of heat shock, with nearly 100% of the kinase activity lost after 60 min at 46°C. The loss of chimeric receptor erbB-2 kinase activity is not due to degradation of receptor protein, nor is it attributable to a specific transmembrane domain from either the EGF or erbB-2 receptors. Sensitivity of erbB-2 to heat stress is also not a result of denaturation of this receptor's carboxy-terminal domain. Insertion of the erbB-2 tyrosine kinase domain into the EGF-R confers heat stress sensitivity to the resultant chimeric receptor. Thus, although the EGF-R and erbB-2 kinase domains show a high degree of homology, the secondary/tertiary structures of these domains would seem to be stabilized in distinct manners. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Kinase activity controls the sorting of the epidermal growth factor receptor within the multivesicular body

We compared the internalization and intracellular sorting of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and point mutant kinase-negative EGF-R separately expressed in NIH 3T3 cells lacking endogenous receptor. Both EGF-Rs internalized rapidly, but kinase-negative receptor was surface down-regulated only with monensin or at 20 degrees C. Furthermore, EGF internalized by mutant receptor alone was, in significant proportion, returned to the cell surface undegraded. Hence unlike wild-type receptor, kinase-negative EGF-R recycles. By electron microscopy the early pathways of endocytosis for the two receptors were identical; however, after 10-20 min the pathways diverged at the multivesicular body (MVB). Wild-type EGF-R, destined for degradation, localized to internal vesicles, while kinase-negative EGF-R, destined for recycling, localized to surface membranes of the MVBs and moved to small tubulovesicles. We conclude that sorting of internalized receptor for degradation or recycling can occur through spatial segregation within the MVB, and sorting of EGF-R is controlled by tyrosine kinase activity.