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PubMed1996

HER4-mediated biological and biochemical properties in NIH 3T3 cells. Evidence for HER1-HER4 heterodimers.

The EGF receptor family of tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors is expressed in a variety of cell types and has been implicated in the progression of certain human adenocarcinomas. The most recent addition to this family of receptors, HER4, was expressed in NIH 3T3 cells to determine its biological and biochemical characteristics. Cells expressing HER4 were responsive to heregulin beta2 as demonstrated by an increase in HER4 tyrosine phosphorylation and ability to form foci on a cell monolayer. HER4 exhibited in vitro kinase activity and was able to phosphorylate the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and SHC. Peptide competition studies identified tyrosine 1056 of HER4 as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase binding site and tyrosines 1188 and 1242 as two potential SHC binding sites. Interestingly, transfection of HER4 into NIH 3T3 cells conferred responsiveness to EGF with respect to colony formation in soft agar. It was also found that in response to heregulin beta2, endogenous murine HER1 or transfected human HER1 became phosphorylated when HER4 was present. This demonstrates that HER1 and HER4 can exist in a heterodimer complex and likely activate each other by transphosphorylation.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2026

Association of ERBB4 and SHBG gene polymorphisms with polycystic ovarian syndrome in South Indian women: a case-control genetic analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial endocrinological disorder with a substantial genetic component. However, the role of genes involved in follicular development and androgen regulation remains incompletely understood, particularly in South Indian populations. This study aimed to evaluate how variations in the ERBB4 and SHBG genes affect PCOS risk. METHODOLOGY: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted among 400 South Indian women, comprising 200 women with PCOS and 200 age-matched healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted to study SNPs at ERBB4 (rs2178575 and rs1351592) and SHBG (rs1799941 and rs727428) using ARMS-PCR genotyping. The study compared genotype and allele frequencies between cases and controls while assessing their associations with allelic, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive, and over-dominant genetic models. Genotyping accuracy was confirmed by re-genotyping and Sanger sequencing of a subset of samples. RESULTS: The ERBB4 rs2178575 polymorphism demonstrated a significant association with PCOS, as the AA genotype and A allele combination increased risk across all three genetic models, including homozygous, recessive, and allelic models. The ERBB4 rs1351592 variant was associated with 3-fold higher risk of PCOS in heterozygous and GC carriers. The SHBG rs1799941 polymorphism showed a significant link to PCOS through its effects on heterozygous and allelic states, whereas rs727428 displayed no significant connection due to its monomorphic distribution. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that polymorphisms in ERBB4 and SHBG may contribute to PCOS susceptibility in South Indian women in a locus- and model-specific manner, revealing the intricate genetic structure that defines this medical condition.

Humans↗

PubMed1996

A hierarchical network of interreceptor interactions determines signal transduction by Neu differentiation factor/neuregulin and epidermal growth factor.

The ErbB family includes four homologous transmembrane tyrosine kinases. Whereas ErbB-1 binds to the epidermal growth factor (EGF), both ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 bind to the Neu differentiation factors (NDFs, or neuregulins), and ErbB-2, the most oncogenic family member, is an orphan receptor whose function is still unknown. Because previous lines of evidence indicated the existence of interreceptor interactions, we used ectopic expression of individual ErbB proteins and their combinations to analyze the details of receptor cross talks. We show that 8 of 10 possible homo-and heterodimeric complexes of ErbB proteins can be hierarchically induced by ligand binding. Although ErbB-2 binds neither ligand, even in a heterodimeric receptor complex, it is the preferred heterodimer partner of the three other members, and it favors interaction with ErbB-3. Selective receptor overexpression in human tumor cells appears to bias the hierarchical relationships. The ordered network is reflected in receptor transphosphorylation, ErbB-2-mediated enhancement of ligand affinities, and remarkable potentiation of mitogenesis by a coexpressed ErbB-2. The observed superior ability of ErbB-2 to form heterodimers, in conjunction with its uniquely high basal tyrosine kinase activity, may explain why ErbB-2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Localization of the human HER4/erbB-4 gene to chromosome 2.

The HER4/erbB-4 gene has been isolated as the fourth member of the human EGFR subfamily of tyrosine kinases and has been reported to encode a receptor for NDF/heregulin. In the present study we determined the chromosomal location of the HER4/erbB-4 gene within the human genome. Using human cDNA probes in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), we mapped the HER4/erbB-4 gene to human chromosome 2q33.3-34. This finding established that also the HER4/erbB-4 gene is located in close vicinity of homeobox and collagen gene loci, as is the case for the related EGFR, erbB-2/neu and erbB-3. Aberrations of this chromosomal region associated with T cell leukemias and lymphomas as well as alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas raise the possibility that HER4/erbB-4 might be activated in these tumour types.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed1995

The influence of heregulins on human Schwann cell proliferation.

The use of Schwann cell (SC) autotransplantation to influence neural repair in humans is dependent upon identifying mitogens that will effectively expand human Schwann cells (SCs) in culture. The recent purification and molecular cloning of glial growth factor (GGF), a potent mitogen for rat Schwann cells, has led to the recognition that a family of proteins (GGF/HRG/NDF/ARIA) are alternatively spliced products of a single gene. The heregulins (HRGs) have been characterized with respect to their influence on human breast cancer cell lines; here we examined whether the HRGs have mitogenic activity for human SCs. Using DNA synthesis assays and serial passaging of cells in culture, we demonstrate that HRG is an effective mitogen for human SCs and that, in the presence of agents that elevate cAMP, it is possible to expand these cells over multiple passages without overwhelming fibroblast contamination. One putative target for this family of proteins is p185erbB2, and EGF-like receptor tyrosine kinase that is encoded by the erbB2 protooncogene. In this report we also demonstrate that the erbB2/3/4 messages as well as the erbB2/3 receptor proteins are present within cultured human SCs. The addition of HRG to human SCs results in tyrosine phosphorylation of a 185 kDa protein. In the presence of stimulatory concentrations of HRG, a blocking monoclonal antibody (2C4) to p185erbB2 is capable of significantly inhibiting phosphorylation of a 185 kDa protein as well as the subsequent incorporation of 3H-thymidine within the human SC. These latter results implicate an important role for p185erbB2 in mediating the mitogenic response of human SCs to HRGs.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1996

ErbB-2 is a common auxiliary subunit of NDF and EGF receptors: implications for breast cancer.

Overexpression of the erbB-2 gene contributes to aggressive behavior of various human adenocarcinomas, including breast cancer, through an unknown molecular mechanism. The erbB-2-encoded protein is a member of the ErbB family of growth factor receptors, but no direct ligand of ErbB-2 has been reported. We show that in various cells ErbB-2 can form heterodimers with both EGF receptor (ErbB-1) and NDF receptors (ErbB-3 and ErbB-4), suggesting that it may affect the action of heterologous ligands without the involvement of a direct ErbB-2 ligand. This possibility was addressed in breast cancer cells through either overexpression of ErbB-2 or by blocking its delivery to the cell surface by means of an endoplasmic reticulum-trapped antibody. We report that ErbB-2 overexpression enhanced binding affinities to both EGF and NDF, through deceleration of ligand dissociation rates. Likewise, removal of ErbB-2 from the cell surface almost completely abolished ligand binding by accelerating dissociation of both growth factors. The kinetic effects resulted in enhancement and prolongation of the stimulation of two major cytoplasmic signaling pathways, namely: MAP kinase (ERK) and c-Jun kinase (SAPK), by either ligand. Our results imply that ErbB-2 is a pan-ErbB subunit of the high affinity heterodimeric receptors for NDF and EGF. Therefore, the oncogenic action of ErbB-2 in human cancers may be due to its ability to potentiate in trans growth factor signaling.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Signal transduction pathways induced by heregulin in MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells.

Heregulins (HRGs) induce tyrosine phosphorylation of several members of the erb-B family of receptors. Although originally isolated as the ligands for p185c-erb-2, recent evidence suggests that other receptors of the erbB family, including p180erbB-3 and p180erbB-4, are their true cognate receptors. Stimulation of MDA MB-453 cells with HRG beta 2 resulted in the tyrosine phosphorylation of p185c-erbB-2 and p180erbB-4 in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. This event was accompanied by the formation of multimeric complexes between the activated receptors and SH2-containing proteins. Ligand caused p120-rasGTPase activating protein (GAP), SHC and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase (PI3K) to be associated with both p185c-erbB-2 and p180erbB-4. In addition, tyrosine phosphorylation of p85-PI3K and SHC, but not of GAP or of its associated p62 and p190 proteins, was also detected. HRG also induced the association of GRB2 with tyrosine phosphorylated p185c-erbB-2, p180erbB-4 and SHC. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) ( > 30-fold over untreated controls) was observed upon receptor(s) activation, as it was the induction of the immediate early gene c-fos ( > 200-fold). These observations suggest that p21ras activation plays a role in the HRG pathway. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the binding of p85-PI3K to 185c-erbB-2 and p180erbB-4, revealed a preferential association with activated p180erbB-4. These findings might suggest a model of HRG action in which the relative expression of the various erb-B family members and the partitioning of signal transduction molecules between each type of receptor might determine the nature of the signal elicited by the ligand and the biological response attained.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

PubMed1996

Transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by HER3 or HER4 receptors requires the presence of HER1 or HER2.

Members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) subfamily of receptor protein tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various malignancies. The ability of one EGFR subfamily member to influence, or function synergistically with, another is likely to be a general feature of these receptors. To assess the role of receptor heterodimerization, we analyzed the ability of Neu differentiation factor (NDF) to induce cell growth and transformation of NIH 3T3 cells transfected with different combinations of the EGFR subfamily of receptors. NDF induced mitogenesis, but not transformation, of cells expressing either HER3 or HER4 alone. However, NDF-induced cell transformation was observed when either HER1 or HER2 was coexpressed with HER3 or HER4. In analogous receptor phosphorylation experiments, NDF-induced transphosphorylation appears to be correlated with synergistic transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. Interestingly, transphosphorylation between HER1 and HER4 can be stimulated by either EGF or NDF.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Neu differentiation factor (Heregulin) activates a p53-dependent pathway in cancer cells.

Previously we reported that neu differentiation factor (NDF)/heregulin (HRG) elevates tyrosine phosphorylation of its receptors erbB-3, erbB-4, and erbB-2 (through heterodimer formation). We also showed that both NDF/HRG and antibodies to erbB-2 can arrest growth and induce differentiation in breast cancer cells. In this study, we report on the mechanism of NDF/HRG-induced cellular effects. We show that NDF/HRG and antibodies to erbB-2 receptors up-regulate expression of p53 by stabilizing the protein. This is accompanied by up-regulation of the p53 inducible gene, p21CIP1/WAF1, in a variety of cell lines: MCF7 and their derivatives (MCF7/HER2, MN1 and MCF-7-puro), ZR75T and LnCap cells. The induction of p21 is further enhanced when cells are treated with both NDF/HRG and DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents (i.e. doxorubicin). The NDF/HRG mediated induction of p21 is dependent on wildtype p53, as it fails to occur in cells expressing dominant negative p53 (MDD2). Furthermore, p21 induction is capable of inactivating cdk2 complexes as measured by Histone H1 phosphorylation assays. Finally, we show that in primary cultures of breast and other cancers, p21 is significantly induced in response to NDF/HRG treatment. Collectively, these observations suggest that the mechanism of breast cancer cell growth inhibition and differentiation via erbB receptors activation is through a p53-mediated pathway.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1995

Heregulin (HRG)-induced mitogenic signaling and cytotoxic activity of a HRG/PE40 ligand toxin in human breast cancer cells.

The heregulins (HRGs) are a family of growth factors that bind direction to erbB3 and erbB4 and induce tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB2 via receptor heterodimerization. Since erbB2, erbB3, and erbB4 (erbB2-4) are often overexpressed in human breast cancer cells, we produced recombinant HRGs and a HRG-based ligand toxin to investigate the signaling events triggered by HRGs and the ability of these ligands to specifically target such cells. Recombinant HRG beta 2 stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB2-4 in ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells. This was accompanied by the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and the formation of complexes between Shc and the adapter protein Grb2. Complexes were also detected between Shc and erbB2-4. However, GRb2 was detected in erbB2 and erbB4 but not erbB3 immunoprecipitates. Thus, these receptors exhibit mechanistic differences in their coupling to Ras signaling, and HRG beta 2 administration triggers multiple inputs into the Ras signaling pathway, involving receptor-Grb2, receptor-Shc, and Shc-Grb2 complexes. HRG beta 2 addition also stimulated the association of erbB3 with phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase. In accordance with the activation of key mitogenic signaling pathways, HRG beta 2 stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 and T-47D human breast cancer cells. Moreover, when tested for the ability to stimulate cell cycle re-entry of T-47D cells arrested under serum-free conditions, HRG beta 2 was more effective than insulin, previously the most potent mitogen identified using this system. Finally, a HRG beta 2 PE40 ligand toxin was constructed and found to exhibit cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cells overexpressing erbB3 alone or in combination with erbB4 and/or erbB2.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

PubMed1994

ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 function as the respective low and high affinity receptors of all Neu differentiation factor/heregulin isoforms.

Neu differentiation factor (NDF or heregulin) elevates tyrosine phosphorylation of the ErbB-2 receptor tyrosine kinase, and it was, therefore, thought to function as a ligand of this receptor. However, several lines of evidence raised the possibility that the interaction between NDF and ErbB-2 involves another molecule, which belongs to the family of epidermal growth factor receptors. To address this question we constructed soluble chimeric proteins between alkaline phosphatase and the extracellular domains of ErbB-2 and either ErbB-3 or ErbB-4, two newly recognized members of the epidermal growth factor receptor family. Using the soluble proteins we found that beta isoforms of NDF specifically bind to the ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 receptors but not to the soluble ErbB-2 protein. When ectopically expressed in monkey fibroblasts, the full-length ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 receptors conferred specific binding to NDF. In these cells ErbB-3 displayed lower ligand binding affinity than ErbB-4, but like the latter receptor it preferred to bind the beta isoform over the alpha class of NDFs. These results indicate that both ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 function as physiological receptors of all NDF isoforms and suggest that a still unknown ligand of ErbB-2 exists.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

All ErbB receptors other than the epidermal growth factor receptor are endocytosis impaired.

Four transmembrane tyrosine kinases constitute the ErbB receptor family: the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, ErbB-2, ErbB-3, and ErbB-4. We have measured the endocytic capacities of all four members of the EGF receptor family, including ErbB-3 and ErbB-4, which have not been described previously. EGF-responsive chimeric receptors containing the EGF receptor extracellular domain and different ErbB cytoplasmic domains (EGFR/ErbB) have been employed. The capacity of these growth factor-receptor complexes to mediate 125I-EGF internalization, receptor down-regulation, receptor degradation, and receptor co-immunoprecipitation with AP-2 was assayed. In contrast to the EGF receptor, all EGFR/ErbB receptors show impaired ligand-induced rapid internalization, down-regulation, degradation, and AP-2 association. Also, we have analyzed the heregulin-responsive wild-type ErbB-4 receptor, which does not mediate the rapid internalization of 125I-heregulin, demonstrates no heregulin-regulated receptor degradation, and fails to form association complexes with AP-2. Despite the substantial differences in ligand-induced receptor trafficking between the EGF and ErbB-4 receptors, EGF and heregulin have equivalent capacities to stimulate DNA synthesis in quiescent cells. These results show that the ligand-dependent down-regulation mechanism of the EGF receptor, surprisingly, is not a property of any other known ErbB receptor family member. Since endocytosis is thought to be an attenuation mechanism for growth factor-receptor complexes, these data imply that substantial differences in attenuation mechanisms exist within one family of structurally related receptors.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

An immunological approach reveals biological differences between the two NDF/heregulin receptors, ErbB-3 and ErbB-4.

The group of subtype I transmembrane tyrosine kinases includes the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (ErbB-1), an orphan receptor (ErbB-2), and two receptors for the Neu differentiation factor (NDF/heregulin), namely: ErbB-3 and ErbB-4. Here we addressed the distinct functions of the two NDF receptors by using an immunological approach. Two sets of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 were generated through immunization with recombinant ectodomains of the corresponding receptors that were fused to immunoglobulin. We found that the shared ligand binds to highly immunogenic, but immunologically distinct sites of ErbB-3 and ErbB-4. NDF receptors differed also in their kinase activities; whereas the catalytic activity of ErbB-4 was activable by mAbs, ErbB-3 underwent no activation by mAbs in living cells. Likewise, down-regulation of ErbB-4, but not ErbB-3, was induced by certain mAbs. By using the generated mAbs, we found that the major NDF receptor on mammary epithelial cells is a heterodimer of ErbB-3 with ErbB-2, whereas an ErbB-1/ErbB-2 heterodimer, or an ErbB-1 homodimer, is the predominant species that binds EGF. Consistent with ErbB-2 being a shared receptor subunit, its tyrosine phosphorylation was increased by both heterologous ligands and it mediated a trans-inhibitory effect of NDF on EGF binding. Last, we show that the effect of NDF on differentiation of breast tumor cells can be mimicked by anti-ErbB-4 antibodies, but not by mAbs to ErbB-3. Nevertheless, an ErbB-3-specific mAb partially inhibited the effect of NDF on cellular differentiation. These results suggest that homodimers of ErbB-4 are biologically active, but heterodimerization of the kinase-defective ErbB-3, probably with ErbB-2, is essential for transmission of NDF signals through ErbB-3.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Regulation of estrogen receptor concentration and activity by an erbB/HER ligand in breast carcinoma cell lines.

Expression of the erbB-2 oncogene in breast cancer patients correlates with poor prognosis and failure of hormonal therapy. In this study, the effects of a putative erbB/HER ligand, gp30, on estrogen receptor (ER) concentration and activity was investigated in the estrogen receptor positive human breast cancer cells, BT474 and MCF-7, which express either high or low levels of erbB-2 and erbB-4, respectively. Treatment of cells with gp30 resulted in a decrease in the steady-state level of estrogen receptor protein by approximately 70-80%. The effect of gp30 on the concentration of ER was independent of serum in the media and was not inhibited by an epidermal growth factor receptor blocking antibody. In addition to the effect on ER protein, gp30 decreased the steady-state level of ER messenger RNA. Transcription run on experiments demonstrated that the decrease in ER expression was mediated by a decrease in ER gene transcription. The effect of gp30 on estrogen receptor activity was also investigated in this study. Treatment of cells with gp30 blocked estradiol induction of progesterone receptor. Inhibition was observed at the level of progesterone receptor protein, messenger RNA, and gene transcription. gp30 also blocked estradiol induction of pS2 gene transcription. In addition to its effects on progesterone receptor and pS2, gp30 blocked activation of an estrogen response element in a transient transfection assay and inhibited ER binding to its response element in a DNA mobility shift assay, suggesting a direct effect on the estrogen receptor. The effects of gp30 on estrogen receptor concentration and activity were independent of the level of erbB-2 and erbB-4 in the cell. These data show that gp30 regulates the concentration of ER and modulates ER activity.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1995

Hyperactive autocrine loop mediated by a NDF-related factor in neoplastic hamster embryo fibroblasts expressing an activated cph oncogene.

We described previously the characterization of a novel oncogene, cph, activated in primary Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts by exposure to 3-methylcholanthrene (Velasco et al., Oncogene 9:2065-2069, 1994). The present report describes the participation in the neoplastic conversion of cph-expressing (81C39) hamster fibroblasts of a hyperactive autocrine loop involving a neu differentiation factor [NDF]-like protein. The tyrosine phosphorylation of the p185erbB-2 receptor in the human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-453 cells was stimulated by conditioned medium from neoplastic 81C39 cells. The extent of this stimulatory effect was much greater than that induced by conditioned medium from normal 84-3 hamster cells. The p185erbB-2 tyrosine phosphorylation-stimulating activity was partially blocked by the heparin analogue pentosan polysulfate [PPS], a known antagonist of p185erbB-2 ligands, and was partially purified from 81C39 conditioned medium by heparin-Sepharose chromatography. The level of p185erbB-2 tyrosine phosphorylation-stimulating activity in the heparin-Sepharose fractions correlated directly with their content in NDF-like protein as immunodetected with an anti-rat NDF antibody. Consistently, the steady-state level of NDF-related mRNA was found to be four times greater in neoplastic 81C39 cells than in normal 84-3 cells. However, the levels of erbB-2 mRNA were similar in both cell types, while the expression of erbB-4 mRNA was upregulated in the neoplastic fibroblasts. The ability of 81C39 conditioned medium to stimulate protein tyrosine phosphorylation and to induce other PPS-sensitive growth responses on 81C39 cells themselves suggested the involvement of an autocrine loop in their neoplastic conversion. The participation of a NDF-related factor in this autocrine loop was confirmed by the ability of an anti-NDF antibody to block the mitogenic activity present in their own conditioned medium. The involvement of the cph oncogene in the upregulation of NDF-related expression was evidenced when cph-transformed NIH3T3 fibroblasts showed elevated levels of NDF-related mRNA, and their conditioned medium induced tyrosine phosphorylation on MDA-MB-453 cells, reproducing the effect of the medium from 81C39 hamster cells.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1995

Interaction between erbB-receptors and heregulin in breast cancer tumor progression and drug resistance.

The type I growth factor receptor family is increasingly recognized as important in the development and maintenance of breast cancer. The family currently consists of four closely related members: the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R/erbB-1), erbB-2, erbB-3 and erbB-4. Putative ligands which bind directly to or indirectly activate erbB-2/3/4 have been characterized recently. This still growing family of EGF-related growth factors includes gp30, its homolog heregulin (HRG), the rat homolog neu differentiation factor (NDF), glial growth factors (GLIA), ARIA and a 50 kDa factor from COLO 16 cells. The understanding of the function, biology and interactions of these growth factor receptors and their ligands will have far-reaching implications for the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. This review focuses on advances and future directions for further investigations intended to clarify the mechanism and significance of erbB/ligand interactions in breast cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Association of csk-homologous kinase (CHK) (formerly MATK) with HER-2/ErbB-2 in breast cancer cells.

Protein-tyrosine kinases, such as HER-2/ErbB-2, have been specifically linked to breast cancer. The Csk-homologous kinase (CHK), formerly MATK, is a tyrosine kinase that contains the Src homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) domains and demonstrates homology ( approximately 50%) to the Csk tyrosine kinase. Like Csk, CHK is able to phosphorylate and inactivate Src family kinases. In this report, we investigated whether CHK is expressed in breast cancer tissues and whether it participates in the ErbB-2 signaling pathway in T47D and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Immunostaining of the CHK protein in breast tissues demonstrated that primary invasive ductal carcinomas, stage II (13 of 15 cases) and stage I (8 of 15 cases), expressed the CHK protein, while this protein was not detected in the adjacent normal tissues from the same patients. To study the role of CHK in the ErbB-2 signaling pathway, glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing the SH2 and SH3 domains of CHK were generated. CHK-SH2 and CHK-SH3-SH2, but not CHK-SH3 or CHK-NH2-SH3, precipitated the tyrosine-phosphorylated ErbB-2 upon stimulation with heregulin. EGF or interleukin-6 stimulation of T47D cells failed to induce CHK-SH2 association with ErbB-2, the EGF-receptor, or the interleukin-6 receptor. In vivo association of the tyrosine-phosphorylated ErbB-2 with CHK was observed in co-immunoprecipitation studies with anti-CHK antibodies. EGF-R, ErbB-3, and ErbB-4 were not detected in the CHK immunoprecipitates or in the precipitates of the GST-SH2 fusion proteins of CHK, suggesting that the association of CHK with ErbB-2 upon heregulin stimulation is receptor-specific (ErbB-2) and ligand-specific (heregulin). These results indicate that CHK might participate in signaling in breast cancer cells by associating, via its SH2 domain, with ErbB-2 following heregulin stimulation.

Glycoproteins↗

PubMed1996

erbB family receptor expression and growth regulation in a newly isolated human breast cancer cell line.

A new human breast cancer cell line (SUM-52PE), originating from a malignant pleural effusion specimen, that can be cultured under serum-free conditions has been isolated. Experiments were conducted to examine the relationship between expression of the erbB family of growth factor receptors and growth regulation in these cells. SUM-52PE cells are epidermal growth factor receptor negative but express single copy levels of erbB-2 protein. Southern blot analysis indicates that the erbB-2 gene is not amplified in these cells. The cells also express mRNA for both erbB-3 and erbB-4. Phosphotyrosine Western blot analysis of membrane protein obtained from SUM-52PE cells indicates the presence of a constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated M(r) 185,000 protein. Immunoprecipitation, using antibodies to erbB-2 or erbB-3, coupled to phosphotyrosine Western blot analysis indicates that both erbB-2 and erbB-3 are constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated in proliferating SUM-52PE cells. Conditioned medium obtained from SUM-52PE cells does not induce tyrosine phosphorylation of p185erbB-2 in a sensitive indicator cell line, suggesting that an erbB-2 activating factor is not secreted by these cells. However, neu differentiation factor/heregulin (NDF/HRG) mRNA is expressed by the cells, and Western blot analysis of SUM-52PE membrane protein revealed the presence of a M(r) 90,000 immunoreactive NDF/HRG protein. Thus, SUM-52PE cells synthesize a membrane bound form of NDF/HRG that may activate erbB-2 and erbB-3 via a juxtacrine mechanism. The addition of exogenous beta-2-NDF/HRG to the culture medium of SUM-52PE cells yields enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of p185erbB-2/erbB-3 but has only a small stimulatory effect on the proliferation of these cells. By contrast, an erbB-2 monoclonal antibody that binds to the extracellular domain of erbB-2 is potently mitogenic for these cells. SUM-52PE cells were also found, by phosphotyrosine Western blot analysis, to express an inordinately large number of tyrosine phosphoproteins. Direct measurement of phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity in SUM-52PE cell membrane protein revealed 2-3-fold lower levels of PTPase activity compared to other normal and neoplastic breast epithelial cell lines. Thus, SUM-52PE cells exhibit altered growth phenotypes not identified previously in human breast cancer cells. The constitutive activation of erbB-2 and erbB-3 in these cells, coupled with their low, membrane-associated, PTPase activity are likely to play direct roles in driving proliferation of these breast cancer cells.

Base Sequence↗