The binding of NCAM to FGFR1 induces a specific cellular response mediated by receptor trafficking

Chiara Francavilla, Paola Cattaneo, Vladimir Berezin, Elisabeth Bock, Diletta Ami, Ario de Marco, Gerhard Christofori, Ugo Cavallaro

82 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) associates with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor-1 (FGFR1). However, the biological significance of this interaction remains largely elusive. In this study, we show that NCAM induces a specific, FGFR1-mediated cellular response that is remarkably different from that elicited by FGF-2. In contrast to FGF-induced degradation of endocytic FGFR1, NCAM promotes the stabilization of the receptor, which is recycled to the cell surface in a Rab11- and Src-dependent manner. In turn, FGFR1 recycling is required for NCAM-induced sustained activation of various effectors. Furthermore, NCAM, but not FGF-2, promotes cell migration, and this response depends on FGFR1 recycling and sustained Src activation. Our results implicate NCAM as a nonconventional ligand for FGFR1 that exerts a peculiar control on the intracellular trafficking of the receptor, resulting in a specific cellular response. Besides introducing a further level of complexity in the regulation of FGFR1 function, our findings highlight the link of FGFR recycling with sustained signaling and cell migration and the critical role of these events in dictating the cellular response evoked by receptor activation.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume187
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)1101-16
Number of pages15
ISSN0021-9525
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

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