FAK signaling is critical for ErbB-2/ErbB-3 receptor cooperation for oncogenic transformation and invasion

J Cell Biol. 2005 Nov 7;171(3):505-16. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200504124.

Abstract

The overexpression of members of the ErbB tyrosine kinase receptor family has been associated with cancer progression. We demonstrate that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is essential for oncogenic transformation and cell invasion that is induced by ErbB-2 and -3 receptor signaling. ErbB-2/3 overexpression in FAK-deficient cells fails to promote cell transformation and rescue chemotaxis deficiency. Restoration of FAK rescues both oncogenic transformation and invasion that is induced by ErbB-2/3 in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, the inhibition of FAK in FAK-proficient invasive cancer cells prevented cell invasion and metastasis formation. The activation of ErbB-2/3 regulates FAK phosphorylation at Tyr-397, -861, and -925. ErbB-induced oncogenic transformation correlates with the ability of FAK to restore ErbB-2/3-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation; the inhibition of MAPK prevented oncogenic transformation. In contrast, the inhibition of Src but not MAPK prevented ErbB-FAK-induced chemotaxis. In migratory cells, activated ErbB-2/3 receptors colocalize with activated FAK at cell protrusions. This colocalization requires intact FAK. In summary, distinct FAK signaling has an essential function in ErbB-induced oncogenesis and invasiveness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Chemotaxis
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphotyrosine / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / physiology*
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • src-Family Kinases / physiology

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Phosphotyrosine
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Receptor, ErbB-3
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • src-Family Kinases