Src and Pyk2 mediate G-protein-coupled receptor activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) but are not required for coupling to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling cascade

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases Src and Pyk2 have been implicated in linking a variety of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling cascade. In this report we apply a genetic strategy using cells isolated from Src-, Pyk2-, or EGFR-deficient mice to explore the roles played by these protein tyrosine kinases in GPCR-induced activation of EGFR, Pyk2, and MAP kinase. We show that Src kinases are critical for activation of Pyk2 in response to GPCR-stimulation and that Pyk2 and Src are essential for GPCR-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR. By contrast, Pyk2, Src, and EGFR are dispensable for GPCR-induced activation of MAP kinase. Moreover, GPCR-induced MAP kinase activation is normal in fibroblasts deficient in both Src and Pyk2 (Src-/-Pyk2-/- cells) as well as in fibroblasts deficient in all three Src kinases expressed in these cells (Src-/-Yes-/-Fyn-/- cells). Finally, experiments are presented demonstrating that, upon stimulation of GPCR, activated Pyk2 forms a complex with Src, which in turn phosphorylates EGFR directly. These experiments reveal a role for Src kinases in Pyk2 activation and a role for Pyk2 and Src in tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR following GPCR stimulation. In addition, EGFR, Src family kinases, and Pyk2 are not required for linking GPCRs with the MAP kinase signaling cascade.     

Agonists of the P2Y(AC)-receptor activate MAP kinase by a ras-independent pathway in rat C6 glioma

We have previously shown that an ecto-NPPase modulates the ATP- and ADP-mediated P2Y(AC)-receptor activation in rat C6 glioma. In the present study, 2MeSADP and Ap(3)A induced no detectable PI turnover and were identified as specific agonists of the P2Y(AC)-receptor with EC(50) values of 250 +/- 37 pM and 1 +/- 0.5 microM, respectively. P2Y(AC)-receptor stimulation increased MAP kinase (ERK1/2) activation that returned to the basal level 4 h after stimulation and was correlated with a gradual desensitization of the P2Y(AC)-purinoceptor. The purinoceptor antagonists DIDS and RB2 blocked MAP kinase activation. An IP(3)-independent Ca(2+)-influx was observed after P2Y(AC)-receptor activation. Inhibition of this influx by Ca(2+)-chelation, did not affect MAP kinase activation. Pertussis toxin, toxin B, selective PKC-inhibitors and a specific MEK-inhibitor inhibited the 2MeSADP- and Ap(3)A-induced MAP kinase activation. In addition, transfection with dominant negative RhoA(Asn19) rendered C6 cells insensitive to P2Y(AC)-receptor-mediated MAP kinase activation whereas dominant negative ras was without effect. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicated a significant increase in the phosphorylation of raf-1 after P2Y(AC)-receptor activation. We may conclude that P2Y(AC)-purinoceptor agonists activate MAP kinase through a G(i)-RhoA-PKC-raf-MEK-dependent, but ras- and Ca(2+)-independent cascade.     

A serpentine receptor-dependent, Gbeta- and Ca(2+) influx-independent pathway regulates mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK2 in Dictyostelium.

Ca(2+) influx and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation are important phenomena in signal transduction, which are often interconnected. We investigated whether serpentine receptor-dependent, Gbeta-independent activation of MAP kinase ERK2 by chemoattractant cyclic AMP (cAMP) is mediated by Ca(2+) influx in the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. We generated a D. discoideum double mutant, which harbours a temperature-sensitive Gbeta subunit and expresses the apoaequorin protein. Utilizing this mutant, we demonstrate that cAMP induced Ca(2+) influx into intact D. discoideum cells can be blocked completely at both the permissive and the restrictive temperature, by using either gadolinium ions or Ruthenium Red. Under the same experimental conditions, these substances do not abolish cAMP stimulation of ERK2 at either temperature. We conclude that there is a Gbeta- and Ca(2+) influx-independent pathway for the receptor-dependent activation of MAP kinase ERK2 in D. discoideum.     

Differential regulation of Pyk2 phosphorylation at Tyr-402 and Tyr-580 in intestinal epithelial cells: roles of calcium, Src, Rho kinase, and the cytoskeleton

The calcium-dependent proline-rich tyrosine kinase Pyk2 is activated by tyrosine phosphorylation, associates with focal adhesion proteins, and has been linked to proliferative and migratory responses in a variety of mesenchymal and epithelial cell types. Full Pyk2 activation requires phosphorylation at functionally distinct sites, including autophosphorylation site Tyr-402 and catalytic domain site Tyr-580, though the mechanisms involved are unclear. The pathways mediating Pyk2 phosphorylation at Tyr-402 and Tyr-580 were therefore investigated. Both sites were rapidly and transiently phosphorylated following cell stimulation by Ang II or LPA. However, only Tyr-580 phosphorylation was rapidly enhanced by intracellular Ca(2+) release, or inhibited by Ca(2+) depletion. Conversely, Tyr-402 phosphorylation was highly sensitive to inhibition of actin stress fibers, or of Rho kinase (ROK), an upstream regulator of stress fiber assembly. Ang II also induced a delayed (30-60 min) secondary phosphorylation peak occurring at Tyr-402 alone. Unlike the homologous focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Pyk2 phosphorylation was sensitive neither to the Src inhibitor PP2, nor to truncation of its N-terminal region, which contains a putative autoinhibitory FERM domain. These results better define the mechanisms involved in Pyk2 activation, demonstrating that autophosphorylation is ROK- and stress fiber-dependent, while transphosphorylation within the kinase domain is Ca(2+)-dependent and Src-independent in intestinal epithelial cells. This contrasts with the tight sequential coupling of phosphorylation seen in FAK activation, and further underlines the differences between these closely related kinases.     

Activation of calcium-dependent kinases and epidermal growth factor receptor regulate muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated MAPK/ERK activation in thyroid epithelial cells

We previously showed that stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) by carbachol (Cch) caused a time- and dose-dependent increase of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (MAPK/ERK) phosphorylation in thyroid epithelial cells. In this study, we demonstrated that mAChR stimulation also induced a time-dependent increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), which was prevented by pretreatment of thyroid epithelial cells with the specific Src-family tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2. Besides, phosphorylation of Pyk2 was attenuated by chelation of extracellular Ca(2+) or inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC), and was evoked by thapsigargin, a specific microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor. Incorporation of Pyk2 antisense oligonucleotides in thyroid epithelial cells to down-regulated Pyk2 expression or pretreatment of cells with the Ca(2+)/calmodulin protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) inhibitor KN-62 significantly reduced Cch-induced MAPK/ERK phosphorylation. In addition, Cch-induced MAPK/ERK phosphorylation was partially inhibited by LY294002 and wortmannin, two selective inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), tyrphostin AG1478, a specific inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase, and (-)-perillic acid, a post-translational inhibitor of small G-proteins isoprenylation. Taken together, our data suggest that Pyk2, CaM kinase II and Src-family tyrosine kinases are key molecules for the activation of MAPK/ERK cascade through the EGFR/Ras/Raf pathway in thyroid epithelial cells in response to mAChR stimulation.     

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors block calcium-dependent tyrosine kinase Pyk2 activation by angiotensin II in vascular endothelial cells. involvement of geranylgeranylation of small G protein Rap1

We recently reported the calcium-dependent activation of tyrosine kinase Pyk2 by angiotensin II (Ang II) in pulmonary vein endothelial cells (PVEC). Since Pyk2 has no calcium binding domain, and neither Ca(2+) nor Ca(2+)/calmodulin directly activates Pyk2, it is not clear how Ca(2+) transduces the signal to activate Pyk2, a key tyrosine kinase, in the early events of Ang II signaling. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of the calcium-dependent activation of Pyk2 in response to Ang II by using 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors and isoprenoid intermediates in PVEC. We have obtained substantial evidence indicating that Ang II activates Pyk2 through calcium-mediated activation of the geranylgeranylated small G protein Rap1 and the Rap1 association with Pyk2. Thus, the small G protein Rap1 is an intermediary signaling molecule linking Ang II-induced calcium signal to Pyk2 activation in PVEC. In addition, our results indicate that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, could interrupt Ang II signaling independent of cholesterol lowering in endothelial cells.     

Identification of a novel protein complex containing annexin VI, Fyn, Pyk2, and the p120(GAP) C2 domain

p120(GAP) (RasGAP) has been proposed to function as both an inhibitor and effector of Ras. Previously we have shown that RasGAP contains a C2 domain which mediates both Ca(2+)-dependent membrane association and protein-protein interactions. Specifically, three proteins have been isolated in a complex with the C2 domain of RasGAP; these are the Ca(2+)-dependent lipid binding protein annexin VI (p70) and two previously unidentified proteins, p55 and p120. Here we provide evidence that p55 is the Src family kinase Fyn and p120 is the focal adhesion kinase family member Pyk2. In addition, in vitro binding assays indicate that Fyn, but not Pyk2 binds directly to annexin VI. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation studies in Rat-1 fibroblasts confirm that Fyn, Pyk2, annexin VI and RasGAP can form a protein complex in mammalian cells.     

Interleukin (IL)-7 induces rapid activation of Pyk2, which is bound to Janus kinase 1 and IL-7Ralpha

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) receptor signaling begins with activation of the Janus tyrosine kinases Jak1 and Jak3, which are associated with the receptor complex. To identify potential targets of these kinases, we examined Pyk2 (a member of the focal adhesion kinase family) using an IL-7-dependent murine thymocyte line, D1. We demonstrate that stimulation of D1 (or normal pro-T) cells by IL-7 rapidly increased tyrosine phosphorylation and enzymatic activity of Pyk2, with kinetics slightly lagging that of Jak1 and Jak3 phosphorylation. Conversely, IL-7 withdrawal resulted in a marked decrease of Pyk2 phosphorylation. Pyk2 was found to be physically associated with Jak1 prior to IL-7 stimulation and to increase its association with IL-7Ralpha chain following IL-7 stimulation. Pyk2 appeared to be involved in cell survival, because antisense Pyk2 accelerated the cell death process. Activation of Pyk2 via the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors using carbachol or via intracellular Ca(2+) rise using ionomycin/phorbol myristate acetate promoted survival in the absence of IL-7. These data support a role for Pyk2 in coupling Jak signaling to the trophic response.     

Divergent regulation of Pyk2/CAKbeta phosphorylation by Ca2+ and cAMP in the hippocampus

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is activated in neurones following NMDA receptor stimulation via PKC. Pyk2 is involved in hippocampal LTP and acts to potentiate NMDA receptor function. Elevations of intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP levels are key NMDA receptor-dependent triggering events leading to induction of hippocampal LTP. In this study, we compared the ability of A23187 (Ca2+ ionophore) or forskolin (adenylate cyclase activator) to modulate the phosphorylation of Pyk2 in rat hippocampal slices. Using an immunoprecipitation assay, phosphorylated Pyk2 levels were increased following treatment with A23187, levels peaking at around 10 min. Staurosporine, at concentrations inhibiting conventional and novel isoforms of PKC, and chelerythrine, at concentrations inhibiting the atypical PKC isoform PKMxi, were compared for their ability to attenuate the effect of A23187. Exposure of acute hippocampal slices to either chelerythrine or staurosporine completely blocked enhanced phosphorylation of Pyk2 by A23187, suggesting a possible involvement of PKMxi and typical PKCs in Pyk2 activation by Ca2+. In contrast, application of forskolin reduced phosphorylated Pyk2 below basal levels, suggesting that cAMP inhibits Pyk2. These results implicate Ca2+ and multiple forms of PKC in the activation of Pyk2 downstream of NMDA receptors and suggest that cAMP-dependent processes exert a suppressive action on Pyk2.     

GSK-3 is activated by the tyrosine kinase Pyk2 during LPA1-mediated neurite retraction

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase that is usually inactivated by serine phosphorylation in response to extracellular cues. However, GSK-3 can also be activated by tyrosine phosphorylation, but little is known about the upstream signaling events and tyrosine kinase(s) involved. Here we describe a G protein signaling pathway leading to GSK-3 activation during lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced neurite retraction. Using neuronal cells expressing the LPA(1) receptor, we show that LPA(1) mediates tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of GSK-3 with subsequent phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau via the G(i)-linked PIP(2) hydrolysis-Ca(2+) mobilization pathway. LPA concomitantly activates the Ca(2+)-dependent tyrosine kinase Pyk2, which is detected in a complex with GSK-3beta. Inactivation or knockdown of Pyk2 inhibits LPA-induced (but not basal) tyrosine phosphorylation of GSK-3 and partially inhibits LPA-induced neurite retraction, similar to what is observed following GSK-3 inhibition. Thus, Pyk2 mediates LPA(1)-induced activation of GSK-3 and subsequent phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins. Pyk2-mediated GSK-3 activation is initiated by PIP(2) hydrolysis and may serve to destabilize microtubules during actomyosin-driven neurite retraction.     

Activation of erythrocyte Ca2+-plus-Mg2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase by protein kinase (cyclic AMP-dependent) inhibitor. Comparison with calmodulin

Purified protein kinase (cyclic AMP-dependent) inhibitor (PKI) from bovine heart stimulated Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-stimulated ATPase activity in human erythrocytes, the stimulation being maximal at 2mug/0.6ml. By contrast, PKI from rabbit skeletal muscle had no effect. Bovine heart PKI stimulated Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-stimulated ATPase by increasing the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the enzyme. This contrasted with the stimulation by calmodulin, which increased the maximum velocity of the Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase in addition to its effect on the Ca(2+)-sensitivity. Both membrane-bound and Triton X-100-solubilized Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-stimulated ATPase activities were stimulated by PKI, indicating that the stimulation did not require an intact membrane structure. At low Ca(2+) concentration the stimulation by PKI and saturating concentrations of calmodulin were additive, suggesting that the two effectors acted by distinct mechanisms. Although 5mum-cyclic AMP inhibited Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-stimulated ATPase activity by about 20% when measured at low ATP concentrations, probably by stimulation of phosphorylation by an endogenous protein kinase, the stimulation by PKI (about 100%) was not solely due to its antagonism of the protein kinase. This interpretation was supported by a number of observations. First, modification of arginine residues of bovine heart PKI abolished its inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, but had no effect on the stimulation of Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-stimulated ATPase. Secondly, trifluoperazine (20mum) antagonized the stimulation of Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase by PKI, similarly to its antagonism of calmodulin stimulation, but it did not affect the inhibition of protein kinase by PKI. We conclude that different mechanisms are involved in the inhibition of protein kinase and the stimulation of Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)-stimulated ATPase by PKI.     

Effect of angiotensin II type 2 receptor on tyrosine kinase Pyk2 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase via SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase activity: evidence from vascular-targeted transgenic mice of AT2 receptor

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has two major receptor isoforms, AT1 and AT2. AT1 transphosphorylates Ca(2+)-sensitive tyrosine kinase Pyk2 to activate c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). Although AT2 inactivates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) via tyrosine phosphatases (PTP), the action of AT2 on Pyk2 and JNK remains undefined. Using AT2-overexpressing vascular smooth muscle cells (AT2-VSMC) from AT2-transgenic mice, we studied these undefined actions of AT2. AT1-mediated JNK activity was increased 2.2-fold by AT2 inhibition, which was abolished by orthovanadate. AT2 did not affect AT1-mediated Pyk2 phosphorylation, but attenuated c-Jun mRNA accumulation by 32%. The activity of src-homology 2 domain-containing PTP (SHP-1) was significantly upregulated 1 min after AT2 stimulation. Stable overexpression of SHP-1 dominant negative mutant in AT2-VSMC completely abolished AT2-mediated inhibition of JNK activation and c-Jun expression. These findings suggest that AT2 inhibits JNK activity by affecting the downstream signal of Pyk2 in a SHP-1-dependent manner, leading to a decrease in c-Jun expression.     

The role of the Ca2+-sensitive tyrosine kinase Pyk2 and Src in thrombin signalling in rat astrocytes

We have recently demonstrated that multiple signalling pathways are involved in thrombin-induced proliferation in rat astrocytes. Thrombin acts by protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) via mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. Signalling includes both Gi/(betagamma subunits)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and a Gq-phospholipase C/Ca2+/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. In the present study, we investigated the possible protein tyrosine kinases which might be involved in thrombin signalling cascades. We found that, in astrocytes, thrombin can evoke phosphorylation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2) via PAR-1. This process is dependent on the increase in intracellular Ca2+ and PKC activity. Moreover, in response to thrombin stimulation Pyk2 formed a complex with Src tyrosine kinase and adapter protein growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2), which could be coprecipitated. Furthermore, both thrombin-induced Pyk2 phosphorylation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation can be attenuated by Src kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine. From these data we conclude that PAR-1 uses Ca2+- and PKC-dependent Pyk2 to activate Src, thereby leading to ERK1/2 activation, which predominantly recruits Grb2 in rat astrocytes.     

alpha(1)-Agonists-induced Mg(2+) efflux is related to MAP kinase activation in the heart

The stimulation of the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor with phenylephrine results in the significant extrusion of Mg(2+) from the rat heart and cardiomyocytes. Phenylephrine-induced Mg(2+) extrusion is prevented by the removal of extracellular Ca(2+) or by the presence of Ca(2+)-channel blockers such as verapamil, nifedipine, or (+)BAY-K8644. Mg(2+) extrusion is almost completely inhibited by PD98059 (a MAP kinase inhibitor). The simultaneous addition of 5mM Ca(2+) and phenylephrine increases the extrusion of Mg(2+) from perfused hearts and cardiomyocytes. This Mg(2+) extrusion is inhibited by more than 90% when the hearts are preincubated with PD98059. ERKs are activated by perfusion with either phenylephrine or 5mM Ca(2+). This ERK activation is inhibited by PD98059. Overall, these results suggest that stimulating the cardiac alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor by phenylephrine causes the extrusion of Mg(2+) via the Ca(2+)-activated, Na(+)-dependent transport pathway, and the ERKs assists in Mg(2+) transport in the heart.     

Ca(2+)- and protein kinase C-dependent stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in detergent-skinned vascular smooth muscle

Protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase are expressed in all smooth muscle cells and believed to be important in several physiologically relevant properties of this muscle. Our goal was to determine if protein kinase C and MAP kinase are activated by a simple increase in cellular Ca(2+) and to determine if protein kinase C is an upstream activator of MAP kinase. These studies were performed in the Triton X-100 detergent-skinned preparation of the swine carotid artery, which allows control of the intracellular environment without influence from membrane or receptor-mediated modulation. The p42 and p44 isoforms of MAP kinase were activated in a concentration-dependent fashion by an increase in Ca2+. This was shown by in-the-gel kinase assay and direct measurement of MAP kinase phosphotransferase activity. Protein kinase C was also activated by an increase in Ca2+, as shown by a novel assay that measures total active protein kinase C in the tissue. Inhibition of protein kinase C activity completely abolished MAP kinase activity. Additionally, inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) also abolished MAP kinase activity. Using intact swine carotid arteries, we showed p42 and p44 MAP kinase to be activated by both histamine and phorbol dibutyrate, but only the p42 isoform was calcium-sensitive. Our results suggest that a Ca(2+)-dependent isoform of protein kinase C and CaM kinase II are upstream activators of MAP kinase in the swine carotid artery.     

Control of ion transport in mouse proximal and distal colon by prolactin.

The lactogenic hormone prolactin (PRL) has been known to affect Ca(2+) and electrolyte transport in the intestinal epithelium. In the present study we analyzed ion transport in mouse proximal and distal colon, and acute changes induced by PRL. In the proximal colon, carbachol activated a Ca(2+) dependent Cl(-) secretion that was sensitive to DIDS and NFA. In the distal colon, both ATP and carbachol activated K(+) secretion. Ca(2+) -activated KCl transport in proximal and distal colon was inhibited by PRL (200 ng/ml), while amiloride sensitive Na(+) absorption and cAMP induced Cl(-) secretion remained unaffected. Luminal large conductance Ca(2+) -activated K(+) (BK) channels were largely responsible for Ca(2+) -activated K(+) secretion in the distal colon, and basolateral BK channels supported Ca(2+) -activated Cl(-) secretion in the proximal colon. Ca(2+) chelating by BAPTA-AM attenuated effects of carbachol and abolished effects of PRL. Both inhibition of PI3 kinase with wortmannin and blockage of MAP kinases with SB 203580 or U 0126, interfered with the acute inhibitory effect of PRL on ion transport, while blocking of Jak/Stat kinases with AG 490 was without effects. PRL attenuated the increase in intracellular Ca(2+) that was caused by stimulation of isolated colonic crypts with carbachol. Thus PRL inhibits Ca(2+) dependent Cl(-) and K(+) secretion by interfering with intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and probably by activating PI3 kinase and MAP kinase pathways.     

Adaptor proteins Grb2 and Crk couple Pyk2 with activation of specific mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades.

The protein tyrosine kinase Pyk2 acts as an upstream regulator of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades in response to numerous extracellular signals. The precise molecular mechanisms by which Pyk2 activates distinct MAP kinase pathways are not yet fully understood. In this report, we provide evidence that the protein tyrosine kinase Src and adaptor proteins Grb2, Crk, and p130Cas act as downstream mediators of Pyk2 leading to the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK). Pyk2-induced activation of Src is necessary for phosphorylation of Shc and p130Cas and their association with Grb2 and Crk, respectively, and for the activation of ERK and JNK cascades. Expression of a Grb2 mutant with a deletion of the amino-terminal Src homology 3 domain or the carboxyl-terminal tail of Sos strongly reduced Pyk2-induced ERK activation, with no apparent effect on JNK activity. Grb2 with a deleted carboxyl-terminal Src homology 3 domain partially blocked Pyk2-induced ERK and JNK pathways, whereas expression of dominant interfering mutants of p130Cas or Crk specifically inhibited JNK but not ERK activation by Pyk2. Taken together, our data reveal specific pathways that couple Pyk2 with MAP kinases: the Grb2/Sos complex connects Pyk2 to the activation of ERK, whereas adaptor proteins p130Cas and Crk link Pyk2 with the JNK pathway.