Differential effects of EGFR ligands on endocytic sorting of the receptor

Kirstine Roepstorff, Michael Vibo Grandal, Lasse Henriksen, Stine Louise Jeppe Knudsen, Mads Lerdrup, Lene Grøvdal, Berthe Marie Willumsen, Bo van Deurs

211 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Endocytic downregulation is a pivotal mechanism turning off signalling from the EGF receptor (EGFR). It is well established that whereas EGF binding leads to lysosomal degradation of EGFR, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha causes receptor recycling. TGF-alpha therefore leads to continuous signalling and is a more potent mitogen than EGF. In addition to EGF and TGF-alpha, five EGFR ligands have been identified. Although many of these ligands are upregulated in cancers, very little is known about their effect on EGFR trafficking. We have compared the effect of six different ligands on endocytic trafficking of EGFR. We find that, whereas they all stimulate receptor internalization, they have very diverse effects on endocytic sorting. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor and Betacellulin target all EGFRs for lysosomal degradation. In contrast, TGF-alpha and epiregulin lead to complete receptor recycling. EGF leads to lysosomal degradation of the majority but not all EGFRs. Amphiregulin does not target EGFR for lysosomal degradation but causes fast as well as slow EGFR recycling. The Cbl ubiquitin ligases, especially c-Cbl, are responsible for EGFR ubiquitination after stimulation with all ligands, and persistent EGFR phosphorylation and ubiquitination largely correlate with receptor degradation.
Original languageEnglish
JournalTraffic - International Journal of Intracellular Transport
Volume10
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1115-27
Number of pages12
ISSN1398-9219
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

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