Function of Focal Adhesion Kinase Scaffolding to Mediate Endophilin A2 Phosphorylation Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Mammary Cancer Stem Cell Activities in Vivo

Tyrosine kinases have been shown to play critical roles in cancer development and progression, and their inhibitors hold the potential as effective targeted therapies for breast and other cancers. However, some of these kinases like focal adhesion kinase (FAK) also possess scaffolding functions in intracellular signaling, but such kinase-independent functions of FAK or other kinases have not been examined in cancer directly in vivo. Here, we report that disruption of the function of FAK scaffolding through its Pro-878/881 motif suppressed mammary tumor growth and metastasis in a well characterized murine model of human breast cancer. P878A/P881A mutation in the endogenous FAK gene decreased the expression of markers for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mammary cancer stem cell (MaCSC) activities in tumors derived from mutant mice. This mutation disrupted the function of FAK scaffolding to mediate endophilin A2 phosphorylation at Tyr-315 by Src, leading to the decreased surface expression of MT1-MMP, as observed previously in transformed fibroblasts in vitro. Inhibition of the downstream components of this FAK scaffolding function by Y315F endophilin A2 mutant or MT1-MMP knockdown reduced markers for EMT and MaCSC activities. Conversely, bypass of the scaffolding function using the phosphorylation mimic mutant Y315E endophilin A2 or endophilin A2 knockdown rescued the decreased markers for EMT and MaCSCs as well as surface expression of MT1-MMP in tumor cells harboring the P878A/P881A mutation. Together, these results identify a novel role of FAK scaffolding function in breast cancer, which could serve as a new target in combination with kinase inhibition for more effective treatment strategies.     

The tethering arm of the EGF receptor is required for negative cooperativity and signal transduction

The EGF receptor is a classical receptor-tyrosine kinase. In the absence of ligand, the receptor adopts a closed conformation in which the dimerization arm of subdomain II interacts with the tethering arm in subdomain IV. Following the binding of EGF, the receptor opens to form a symmetric, back-to-back dimer. Although it is clear that the dimerization arm of subdomain II is central to the formation of receptor dimers, the role of the tethering arm of subdomain IV (residues 561-585) in this configuration is not known. Here we use (125)I-EGF binding studies to assess the functional role of the tethering arm in the EGF receptor dimer. Mutation of the three major residues that contribute to tethering (D563A,H566A,K585A-EGF receptor) did not significantly alter either the ligand binding properties or the signaling properties of the EGF receptor. By contrast, breaking the Cys(558)-Cys(567) disulfide bond through double alanine replacements or deleting the loop entirely led to a decrease in the negative cooperativity in EGF binding and was associated with small changes in downstream signaling. Deletion of the Cys(571)-Cys(593) disulfide bond abrogated cooperativity, resulting in a high affinity receptor and increased sensitivity of downstream signaling pathways to EGF. Releasing the Cys(571)-Cys(593) disulfide bond resulted in extreme negative cooperativity, ligand-independent kinase activity, and impaired downstream signaling. These data demonstrate that the tethering arm plays an important role in supporting cooperativity in ligand binding. Because cooperativity implies subunit-subunit interactions, these results also suggest that the tethering arm contributes to intersubunit interactions within the EGF receptor dimer.     

Internal Cleavages of the Autoinhibitory Prodomain Are Required for Membrane Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase Activation,although Furin Cleavage Alone Generates Inactive Proteinase

The functional activity of invasion-promoting membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is elevated in cancer. This elevated activity promotes cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. MT1-MMP is synthesized as a zymogen, the latency of which is maintained by its prodomain. Excision by furin was considered sufficient for the prodomain release and MT1-MMP activation. We determined, however, that the full-length intact prodomain released by furin alone is a potent autoinhibitor of MT1-MMP. Additional MMP cleavages within the prodomain sequence are required to release the MT1-MMP enzyme activity. Using mutagenesis of the prodomain sequence and mass spectrometry analysis of the prodomain fragments, we demonstrated that the intradomain cleavage of the PGD↓L⁵⁰ site initiates the MT1-MMP activation, whereas the ¹⁰⁸RRKR¹¹¹↓Y¹¹² cleavage by furin completes the removal and the degradation of the autoinhibitory prodomain and the liberation of the functional activity of the emerging enzyme of MT1-MMP.     

Cell-surface receptor for complement component C1q (gC1qR) is a key regulator for lamellipodia formation and cancer metastasis

We previously demonstrated that the receptor for the complement component C1q (gC1qR) is a lipid raft protein that is indispensable for adipogenesis and insulin signaling. Here, we provide the first report that gC1qR is an essential component of lamellipodia in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Cell-surface gC1qR was concentrated in the lamellipodia along with CD44, monosialoganglioside, actin, and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase in cells stimulated with insulin, IGF-1, EGF, or serum. The growth factor-induced lamellipodia formation and cell migration were significantly decreased in gC1qR-depleted cells, with a concomitant blunt activation of the focal adhesion kinase and the respective receptor tyrosine kinases. Moreover, the gC1qR-depleted cells exhibited a reduced proliferation rate in culture as well as diminished tumorigenic and metastatic activities in grafted mice. We therefore conclude that cell-surface gC1qR regulates lamellipodia formation and metastasis via receptor tyrosine kinase activation.     

The C-terminal kinase and ERK-binding domains of Drosophila S6KII (RSK) are required for phosphorylation of the protein and modulation of circadian behavior

A detailed structure/function analysis of Drosophila p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (S6KII) or its mammalian homolog RSK has not been performed in the context of neuronal plasticity or behavior. We previously reported that S6KII is required for normal circadian periodicity. Here we report a site-directed mutagenesis of S6KII and analysis of mutants, in vivo, that identifies functional domains and phosphorylation sites critical for the regulation of circadian period. We demonstrate, for the first time, a role for the S6KII C-terminal kinase that is independent of its known role in activation of the N-terminal kinase. Both S6KII C-terminal kinase activity and its ERK-binding domain are required for wild-type circadian period and normal phosphorylation status of the protein. In contrast, the N-terminal kinase of S6KII is dispensable for modulation of circadian period and normal phosphorylation of the protein. We also show that particular sites of S6KII phosphorylation, Ser-515 and Thr-732, are essential for normal circadian behavior. Surprisingly, the phosphorylation of S6KII residues, in vivo, does not follow a strict sequential pattern, as implied by certain cell-based studies of mammalian RSK protein.     

Interactions of STAP-2 with Brk and STAT3 participate in cell growth of human breast cancer cells

STAP-2 (signal transducing adaptor protein-2) is a recently identified adaptor protein that contains pleckstrin homology (PH) and Src homology 2-like domains, as well as a STAT3-binding motif in its C-terminal region. STAP-2 is also a substrate of breast tumor kinase (Brk). In breast cancers, Brk expression is deregulated and promotes STAT3-dependent cell proliferation. In the present study, manipulated STAP-2 expression demonstrated essential roles of STAP-2 in Brk-mediated STAT3 activation. STAP-2 interacts with both Brk and STAT3. In addition, small interfering RNA-mediated reduction of endogenous STAP-2 expression strongly decreased Brk-mediated STAT3 activation in T47D breast cancer cells. The PH domain of STAP-2 is involved in multiple steps: the binding between Brk and STAP-2, the activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3, and the activation of Brk. Notably, a STAP-2 PH-Brk fusion protein exhibited robust kinase activity and increased activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3. Finally, STAP-2 knockdown in T47D cells induced a significant decrease of proliferation, as strong as that of Brk or STAT3 knockdown. Taken together, our findings are likely to inform the development of a novel therapeutic strategy, as well as the determination of novel prognostic values, in breast carcinomas.     

ErbB2 stabilizes epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression via Erk and Sprouty2 in extracellular matrix-detached cells

Epithelial cells are dependent on extracellular matrix (ECM) attachment for maintenance of metabolic activity and suppression of apoptosis. Here we show that loss of ECM attachment causes down-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and β1 integrin protein and mRNA expression and that ErbB2, which is amplified in 25% of breast tumors, reverses these effects of ECM deprivation. ErbB2 rescue of β1 integrin mRNA and protein in suspended cells is dependent on EGFR, however, the rescue of EGFR expression does not require β1 integrin. We show that there is a significant decrease in the stability of EGFR in ECM-detached cells that is reversed by ErbB2 overexpression. Rescue of both EGFR and β1 integrin protein by ErbB2 is dependent on Erk activity and induction of its downstream target Sprouty2, a protein known to regulate EGFR protein stability. Interestingly, expression of EGFR and β1 integrin protein is more dependent on Erk/Sprouty2 in ECM-detached ErbB2-overexpressing cells when compared with ECM-attached cells. These results provide further insight into the ErbB2-driven anchorage independence of tumor cells and provide a new mechanism for regulation of EGFR and β1 integrin expression in ECM-detached cells.     

Dorsal Ruffle Microdomains Potentiate Met Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling and Down-regulation

Dorsal ruffles are apical protrusions induced in response to many growth factors, yet their function is poorly understood. Here we report that downstream from the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), Met, dorsal ruffles function as both a localized signaling microdomain as well as a platform from which the Met RTK internalizes and traffics to a degradative compartment. In response to HGF, colonies of epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney cells form dorsal ruffles for up to 20 min. Met is transcytosed from the basolateral membrane on Rab4 endosomes, to the apical surface where Met, as well as a Met substrate and scaffold protein, Gab1, localize to the dorsal ruffle membrane. This results in activation of downstream signaling proteins, as evidenced by localization of phospho-ERK1/2 to dorsal ruffles. As dorsal ruffles collapse, Met is internalized into EEA1- and Rab5-positive endosomes and is targeted for degradation through delivery to an Hrs-positive sorting compartment. Enhancing HGF-dependent dorsal ruffle formation, through overexpression of Gab1 or activated Pak1 kinase, promotes more efficient degradation of the Met RTK. Conversely, the ablation of dorsal ruffle formation, by pre-treatment with SITS (4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyabatostilbene-2′,2-disulfonic acid) or expression of a Gab1 mutant, impairs Met degradation. Taken together, these data support a function for dorsal ruffles as a biologically relevant signaling microenvironment and a mechanism for Met receptor internalization and degradation.     

Leucine-rich Repeat and Immunoglobulin Domain-containing Protein-1 (Lrig1) Negative Regulatory Action toward ErbB Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Is Opposed by Leucine-rich Repeat and Immunoglobulin Domain-containing Protein 3 (Lrig3)

Lrig1 is the founding member of the Lrig family of transmembrane leucine-rich repeat proteins, which also includes Lrig2 and Lrig3. Lrig1 is a negative regulator of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases, including ErbB and Met receptors, and promotes receptor degradation. Lrig1 has recently emerged as both a tumor suppressor and a key regulator of epidermal and epithelial stem cell quiescence. Despite this, little is known of the mechanisms by which Lrig1 is regulated. Lrig3 was recently reported to increase ErbB receptor expression suggesting that it may function in a manner opposite to Lrig1. In this study, we explore the interaction between Lrig1 and Lrig3 and demonstrate that Lrig1 and Lrig3 functionally oppose one another. Lrig3 opposes Lrig1 negative regulatory activity and stabilizes ErbB receptors. Conversely, Lrig1 destabilizes Lrig3, limiting Lrig3''s positive effects on receptors and identifying Lrig3 as a new target of Lrig1. These studies provide new insight into the regulation of Lrig1 and uncover a complex cross-talk between Lrig1 and Lrig3.     

Different Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Receptor Ligands Show Distinct Kinetics and Biased or Partial Agonism for Homodimer and Heterodimer Formation

The EGF receptor has seven different cognate ligands. Previous work has shown that these different ligands are capable of inducing different biological effects, even in the same cell. To begin to understand the molecular basis for this variation, we used luciferase fragment complementation to measure ligand-induced dimer formation and radioligand binding to study the effect of the ligands on subunit-subunit interactions in EGF receptor (EGFR) homodimers and EGFR/ErbB2 heterodimers. In luciferase fragment complementation imaging studies, amphiregulin (AREG) functioned as a partial agonist, inducing only about half as much total dimerization as the other three ligands. However, unlike the other ligands, AREG showed biphasic kinetics for dimer formation, suggesting that its path for EGF receptor activation involves binding to both monomers and preformed dimers. EGF, TGFα, and betacellulin (BTC) appear to mainly stimulate receptor activation through binding to and dimerization of receptor monomers. In radioligand binding assays, EGF and TGFα exhibited increased affinity for EGFR/ErbB2 heterodimers compared with EGFR homodimers. By contrast, BTC and AREG showed a similar affinity for both dimers. Thus, EGF and TGFα are biased agonists, whereas BTC and AREG are balanced agonists with respect to selectivity of dimer formation. These data suggest that the differences in biological response to different EGF receptor ligands may result from partial agonism for dimer formation, differences in the kinetic pathway utilized to generate activated receptor dimers, and biases in the formation of heterodimers versus homodimers.     

Both actin and polyproline interactions of profilin-1 are required for migration, invasion and capillary morphogenesis of vascular endothelial cells

The objective of the present study was to evaluate how different ligand interactions of profilin-1 (Pfn1), an actin-binding protein that is upregulated during capillary morphogenesis of vascular endothelial cells (VEC), contribute to migration and capillary forming ability of VEC. We adopted a knockdown-knockin experimental system to stably express either fully functional form or mutants of Pfn1 that are impaired in binding to two of its major ligands, actin (H119E mutant) and proteins containing polyproline domains (H133S mutant), in a human dermal microvascular cell line (HmVEC) against near-null endogenous Pfn1 background. We found that silencing endogenous Pfn1 expression in HmVEC leads to slower random migration, reduced velocity of membrane protrusion and a significant impairment in matrigel-induced cord formation. Only re-expression of fully functional but not any of the two ligand-binding deficient mutants of Pfn1 rescues the above defects. We further show that loss of Pfn1 expression in VEC inhibits three-dimensional capillary morphogenesis, MMP2 secretion and ECM invasion. VEC invasion through ECM is also inhibited when actin and polyproline interactions of Pfn1 are disrupted. Together, these experimental data demonstrate that Pfn1 regulates VEC migration, invasion and capillary morphogenesis through its interaction with both actin and proline-rich ligands.     

Sodium hydrogen exchanger and phospholipase D are required for alpha1-adrenergic receptor stimulation of metalloproteinase-9 and cellular invasion in CCL39 fibroblasts

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) plays a critical role in digesting the extracellular matrix and has a vital function in tumor metastasis and invasion; this protease activity is significantly increased in non-small cell lung cancers. The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) functions as a focal point for signal coordination and cytoskeletal reorganization. NHE1 is thought to play a central role in establishing signaling components at the leading edge of a migrating cell. Therefore, we studied the relationship between NHE1 and MMP-9 activity in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39) stimulated with phenylephrine (PE). We show that PE increases MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity in CCL39 cells. The inhibition of phospholipase D (PLD) signaling abrogated PE-induced MMP-9 activity. The role of PLD as an essential signaling intermediate was confirmed when the addition of permeable phosphatidic acid increased MMP-9 activity in the same cells. PE-induced invasion was increased 1.9-fold over controls and the PE response was lost when 1-butanol was used to block PLD signaling. Cells pre-treated with the NHE1 inhibitor, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride (EIPA) prior to PE addition resulted in a notable decrease in MMP-9 activation and cell invasion as compared to untreated PE-stimulated cells. CCL39 NHE1 null cells demonstrated no increase in MMP-9 protease activity or cell invasion in response to PE treatment. Reconstitution of NHE1 expression recovered the PE-induced activation of protease activity and cell invasion. MMP-9 processing was altered in cells expressing a proton transport defective NHE1 but retained the ability to respond to PE. Conversely, cells expressing an ezrin, radixin, moesin (ERM)-binding deficient NHE1 had a lower MMP-9 activity and the protease did not respond to PE addition. Parallel studies on NCI-H358 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCL) cells showed that PE stimulated both MMP-9 activity and cell invasion in an NHE1 dependent manner. This work describes for the first time a PE-induced relationship between NHE1 and MMP-9 and a new potential mechanism by which NHE1 could promote tumor formation and metastasis.