FGF-receptor substrate 2 functions as a molecular sensor integrating external regulatory signals into the FGF pathway

Cell Res. 2009 Oct;19(10):1165-77. doi: 10.1038/cr.2009.95. Epub 2009 Aug 4.

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor substrate 2alpha (FRS2alpha) is the main mediator of signaling in the FGF pathway. Recent studies have shown that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylates serine and threonine residues in FRS2, negatively affecting FGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation (PY) of FRS2. Several kinds of stimuli can induce serine/threonine phosphorylation (PS/T) of FRS2, indicating that FRS2 may be useful for studying crosstalk between growth factor signaling pathways. Here, we report that FGF-induced PY of FRS2 can be attenuated by EGF co-stimulation in PC12 cells; this inhibitory effect could be completely reversed by U0126, an inhibitor of MEK. We further identified the ERK1/2-binding motif in FRS2 and generated FRS2-3KL, a mutant lacking MAPK binding and PT upon FGF and/or EGF stimulation. Unlike wild-type (WT) FRS2, FGF-induced PY of FRS2-3KL could not be inhibited by EGF co-stimulation, and FRS2-3KL-expressing PC12 cells exhibited more differentiating potential than FRS2-WT-expressing cells in response to FGF treatment. These results suggest that PS/T of FRS2 mediated by the FRS2-MAPK negative regulatory loop may function as a molecular switch integrating negative regulatory signals from other pathways into FGFR-generated signal transduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Butadienes / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • PC12 Cells
  • Phosphorylation
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Butadienes
  • FRS2 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nitriles
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • U 0126
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3