Regulation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor activation by afadin through SHP-2: implications for cellular morphology

J Biol Chem. 2007 Dec 28;282(52):37815-25. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M707461200. Epub 2007 Oct 30.

Abstract

Upon binding of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), PDGF receptor is autophosphorylated at tyrosine residues in its cytoplasmic region, which induces the activation of diverse intracellular signaling pathways such those involving Ras-ERK, c-Src, and Rap1-Rac. Signaling through activated Ras-ERK promotes cell cycle and cell proliferation. The sequential activation of Rap1 and Rac affects cellular morphology and induces the formation of leading-edge structures, including lamellipodia, peripheral ruffles, and focal complexes, resulting in the enhancement of cell movement. In addition to the promotion of cell proliferation, the Ras-ERK signaling is involved in the regulation of cellular morphology. Here, we showed a novel role of afadin in the regulation of PDGF-induced intracellular signaling and cellular morphology in NIH3T3 cells. Afadin was originally identified as an actin filament-binding protein, which binds to a cell-cell adhesion molecule nectin and is involved in the formation of cell-cell junctions. When afadin was tyrosine-phosphorylated by c-Src activated in response to PDGF, afadin physically interacted with and increased the phosphatase activity of Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2 (SHP-2), a protein-tyrosine phosphatase that dephosphorylates PDGF receptor, leading to the prevention of hyperactivation of PDGF receptor and the Ras-ERK signaling. In contrast, knockdown of afadin or SHP-2 induced the hyperactivation of PDGF receptor and Ras-ERK signaling and consequently suppressed the formation of leading-edge structures. Thus, afadin plays a critical role in the proper regulation of the PDGF-induced activation of PDGF receptor and signaling by Ras-ERK. This effect, which is mediated by SHP-2, impacts cellular morphology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biotinylation
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Microfilament Proteins
  • afadin
  • Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11