A new model for the interaction of EGF-like ligands with their receptors: the new one-two

Transmembrane helix-helix interactions involved in ErbB receptor signaling

Among the many transmembrane receptor classes, the receptor tyrosine kinases represent an important superfamily, involved in many cellular processes like embryogenesis, development and cell division. Deregulation and dysfunctions of these receptors can lead to various forms of cancer and other diseases. Mostly, only fragmented knowledge exists about functioning of the entire receptors, and many studies have been performed on isolated receptor domains. In this review we focus on the function of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases with a special emphasis on the role of the transmembrane domain and on the mechanisms underlying regulated and deregulated signaling. Many general aspects of ErbB receptor structure and function have been analyzed and described. All human ErbBs appear to form homo- and heterodimers within cellular membranes and the single transmembrane domain of the receptors is involved in dimerization. Additionally, only defined structures of the transmembrane helix dimer allows signaling of ErbB receptors.

Targeting ErbB receptor signaling: A pan-ErbB approach to cancer

The ErbB receptors are localized to the cell membrane where they are activated by ligand to trigger a network of signaling pathways. In some cancer cells, dysregulation of ErbB-mediated signaling confers a growth advantage, resulting in cellular transformation and increased metastatic potential. Several agents that inhibit individual ErbB receptors have recently been approved for the treatment of human malignancies, validating ErbB receptors as therapeutic targets. One strategy to improve the efficacy of ErbB-targeted therapies is to inhibit multiple ErbB receptors, thereby interfering with the cooperation that exists between receptors. This minireview addresses the approaches being developed to concurrently inhibit multiple ErbB receptors.

An Open-and-Shut Case? Recent Insights into the Activation of EGF/ErbB Receptors

Recent crystallographic studies have provided significant new insight into how receptor tyrosine kinases from the EGF receptor or ErbB family are regulated by their growth factor ligands. EGF receptor dimerization is mediated by a unique dimerization arm, which becomes exposed only after a dramatic domain rearrangement is promoted by growth factor binding. ErbB2, a family member that has no ligand, has its dimerization arm constitutively exposed, and this explains several of its unique properties. We outline a mechanistic view of ErbB receptor homo- and heterodimerization, which suggests new approaches for interfering with these processes when they are implicated in human cancers.

Ligand-Induced, Receptor-Mediated Dimerization and Activation of EGF Receptor

The EGF receptor mediates many cellular responses in normal biological processes and in pathological states. Recent structural studies reveal the molecular basis for ligand binding specificity and how ligand binding induces receptor dimerization. Receptor dimerization is mediated by receptor-receptor interactions in which a loop protruding from neighboring receptors mediates receptor dimerization and activation.

Role of the N-terminus of epidermal growth factor in ErbB-2/ErbB-3 binding studied by phage display

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds with high affinity to the EGF receptor, also known as ErbB-1, but upon replacement of the N-terminal linear region by neuregulin (NRG) 1 or transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha sequences it gains in addition high affinity for ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers. However, these chimeras weakly bind to ErbB-3 alone. To further dissect the ligand binding selectivity of the ErbB network, we have applied the phage display technique to examine the role of the linear N-terminal region in EGF for interaction with ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers. A library of EGF variants was constructed in which residues 2, 3, and 4 were randomly mutated, followed by selection for binding to intact MDA-MB-453 cells that overexpress ErbB-2 and ErbB-3 but lack ErbB-1. Analysis of the selected phage EGF variants revealed clones with high binding affinity to ErbB-2/ErbB-3 while maintaining high affinity to ErbB-1. In these variants, Trp (or alternatively His) was almost exclusively present at position 2, while specific combinations of hydrophobic, basic, and small residues were found at positions 3 and 4. The mitogenic activity of the phage EGF variants corresponded with their relative binding affinity. Two of the selected EGF variants, EGF/WVS and EGF/WRS, were further characterized as recombinant proteins. In contrast to previously characterized chimeras of EGF with NRG-1 or TGF-alpha, these variants did not only show high binding affinity for ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers but also for ErbB-3 alone. These data show that the linear N-terminal region of EGF-like growth factors is directly involved in binding to ErbB-3.

Epidermal growth factor contains both positive and negative determinants for interaction with ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha are potent activators of the ErbB-1 receptor, but, unlike TGF-alpha, EGF is also a weak activator of ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers. To understand the specificity of EGF-like growth factors for binding to distinct ErbB members, we used EGF/TGF-alpha chimeras to examine the requirements for ErbB-2/ErbB-3 activation. Here we show that in contrast to these two wild-type ligands, distinct EGF/TGF-alpha chimeras are potent activators of ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers. On the basis of differences in the potency of these various chimeras, specific residues in the linear N-terminal region and the so-called B-loop of these ligands were identified to be involved in interaction with ErbB-2/ErbB-3. A chimera consisting of human EGF sequences with the linear N-terminal region of human TGF-alpha was found to be almost as potent as the natural ligand neuregulin (NRG)-1beta in activating 32D cells expressing ErbB-2/ErbB-3 and human breast cancer cells. Binding studies revealed that this chimera, designated T1E, has high affinity for ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers, but not for ErbB-3 alone. Subsequent exchange studies revealed that introduction of both His2 and Phe3 into the linear N-terminal region was already sufficient to make EGF a potent activator of ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers, indicating that these two amino acids contribute positively to this receptor binding. Analysis of the B-loop revealed that Leu26 in EGF facilitates interaction with ErbB-2/ErbB-3 heterodimers, while the equivalent Glu residue in TGF-alpha impairs binding. Since all EGF/TGF-alpha chimeras tested have maintained high binding affinity for ErbB-1, it is concluded that the diversity of the ErbB signaling network is determined by specific amino acids that facilitate binding to one receptor member, in addition to residues that impede binding to other ErbB family members.

The EGF domain: requirements for binding to receptors of the ErbB family

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been the prototype growth-stimulating peptide for many years. It has a characteristic structure with three disulfide bridges, which is essential for its activity. However, many other proteins, including both growth factors and proteins with unrelated functions, have similar EGF-like domains. This indicates that besides a characteristic conformation provided by the EGF-like domain, specific amino acids are required to provide specificity in protein functioning. Currently, more than 10 different growth factors with an EGF-like domain have been characterized which all exert their action by binding to the four members of the erbB family of receptors. In this review, studies are described on the structure-function relationship of these EGF-like growth factor molecules in an attempt to analyze the individual amino acids that determine their binding specificity to the individual members of the erbB family.

The interaction between the Drosophila secreted protein argos and the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibits dimerization of the receptor and binding of secreted spitz to the receptor

Drosophila Argos (Aos), a secreted protein with an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, has been shown to inhibit the activation of the Drosophila EGF receptor (DER). However, it has not been determined whether Aos binds directly to DER or whether regulation of the DER activation occurs through some other mechanism. Using DER-expressing cells (DER/S2) and a recombinant DER extracellular domain-Fc fusion protein (DER-Fc), we have shown that Aos binds directly to the extracellular domain of DER with its carboxyl-terminal region, including the EGF-like domain. Furthermore, Aos can block the binding of secreted Spitz (sSpi), a transforming growth factor alpha-like ligand of DER, to the extracellular domain of DER. We observed that sSpi stimulates the dimerization of both the soluble DER extracellular domain (sDER) and the intact DER in the DER/S2 cells and that Aos can block the sSpi-induced dimerization of both sDER and intact DER. Moreover, we have shown that, by directly interacting with DER, Aos and SpiAos (a chimeric protein that is composed of the N-terminal region of Spi and the C-terminal region of Aos) inhibit the dimerization and phosphorylation of DER that are induced by DER's overexpression in the absence of sSpi. These results indicate that Aos exerts its inhibitory function through dual molecular mechanisms: by blocking both the receptor dimerization and the binding of activating ligand to the receptor. This is the first description of this novel inhibitory mechanism for receptor tyrosine kinases.

Epidermal growth factor receptors: critical mediators of multiple receptor pathways

Recently, the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) was identified as a downstream element in different signaling pathways. This expanded its classical function as a receptor for EGF-like ligands to a role as mediator of diverse signaling systems and as a switch point of a cellular communication network. In addition, several downstream targets, (e.g. Smad proteins and STATs) into which signals from synergistic and antagonistic signaling pathways converge, were identified.

The type 1 growth factor receptor family: new ligands and receptors and their role in breast cancer

The type 1 family of growth factor receptors, which consist of the epidermal growth factor receptor, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, and c-erbB-4, are expressed in normal breast ductal epithelial cells and in some breast cancers. Nine genes have now been identified which code for ligands. In some cases the genes are spliced into a series of proteins which differ in structure, but all retain an EGF-like element responsible for receptor recognition. The EGF receptor is expressed in normal breast and in some cancers, but is apparently reduced in expression in other cases. Cancers with EGF receptors appear to represent a greater threat to patients as in most studies they are associated with a shorter time to relapse and overall survival. The c-erbB-2 protein is overexpressed at very high levels in about one fifth of breast cancers and is indicative of poor prognosis. Other cancers may express lesser degrees of overexpression but it is not clear if this is biologically or clinically significant. The c-erbB-3 protein is expressed in normal breast epithelial cells and has been reported to be present at high levels in some cancers but at normal levels or at lower than normal levels in some others. The limited studies to date suggest that when measured on its own c-erbB-3 expression is not predictive. c-erbB-4 is also expressed in normal breast and in some cancers but no studies have yet been performed to address whether it is associated with disease behaviour. In the future it is likely that a greater understanding of the function of this complex family of interacting proteins will assist in gaining the maximum predictive power from measurement of their expression in human breast cancer.

Expression of an oncogenic mutant EGF receptor markedly increases the sensitivity of cells to an EGF-receptor-specific antibody-toxin

EGFRvIII is a ligand-independent, constitutively active variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that is specifically expressed in gliomas and various other human malignancies and has been proposed as a target for directed tumor therapy. We have recently constructed a highly potent single-chain antibody-toxin, scFv(14E1)-ETA, which consists of the variable domains of the antibody 14E1 specific for human full-length EGFR genetically fused to a truncated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. We demonstrate here binding of 14E1 antibody to both full-length and variant EGFR. In contrast to a recombinant toxin containing transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) as a cell targeting domain, scFv(14E1)-ETA was highly active on cells expressing EGFRvIII. Surprisingly, scFv(14E1)-ETA displayed cell killing activity on EGFRvIII-expressing cells that was up to 100-fold higher than on control cells expressing full-length EGFR. No differences in the binding affinities of scFv(14E1)-ETA to full-length EGFR or EGFRvIII were observed, suggesting that events downstream of immunotoxin binding are responsible for the increased sensitivity of EGFRvIII-expressing cells. This might have implications for the development of therapeutic reagents simultaneously targeting different forms of the EGFR.

Bivalence of EGF-like ligands drives the ErbB signaling network

Signaling by epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands is mediated by an interactive network of four ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases, whose mechanism of ligand-induced dimerization is unknown. We contrasted two existing models: a conformation-driven activation of a receptor-intrinsic dimerization site and a ligand bivalence model. Analysis of a Neu differentiation factor (NDF)-induced heterodimer between ErbB-3 and ErbB-2 favors a bivalence model; the ligand simultaneously binds both ErbB-3 and ErbB-2, but, due to low-affinity of the second binding event, ligand bivalence drives dimerization only when the receptors are membrane anchored. Results obtained with a chimera and isoforms of NDF/neuregulin predict that each terminus of the ligand molecule contains a distinct binding site. The C-terminal low-affinity site has broad specificity, but it prefers interaction with ErbB-2, an oncogenic protein acting as a promiscuous low-affinity subunit of the three primary receptors. Thus, ligand bivalence enables signal diversification through selective recruitment of homo- and heterodimers of ErbB receptors, and it may explain oncogenicity of erbB-2/HER2.

NMR study of the transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha)-epidermal growth factor receptor complex. Visualization of human TGF-alpha binding determinants through nuclear Overhauser enhancement analysis

The study of human transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in complex with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor extracellular domain has been undertaken in order to generate information on the interactions of these molecules. Analysis of 1H NMR transferred nuclear Overhauser enhancement data for titration of the ligand with the receptor has yielded specific data on the residues of the growth factor involved in contact with the larger protein. Significant increases and decreases in nuclear Overhauser enhancement cross-peak intensity occur upon complexation, and interpretation of these changes indicates that residues of the A- and C-loops of TGF-alpha form the major binding interface, while the B-loop provides a structural scaffold for this site. These results corroborate the conclusions from NMR relaxation studies (Hoyt, D. W., Harkins, R. N., Debanne, M. T., O'Connor-McCourt, M., and Sykes, B. D. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 15283-15292), which suggest that the C-terminal residues of the polypeptide are immobilized upon receptor binding, while the N terminus of the molecule retains considerable flexibility, and are consistent with structure-function studies of the TGF-alpha/EGF system indicating a multidomain binding model. These results give a visualization, for the first time, of native TGF-alpha in complex with the EGF receptor and generate a picture of the ligand-binding site based upon the intact molecule. This will undoubtedly be of utility in the structure-based design of TGF-alpha/EGF agonists and/or antagonists.

A hierarchical network of interreceptor interactions determines signal transduction by Neu differentiation factor/neuregulin and epidermal growth factor

The ErbB family includes four homologous transmembrane tyrosine kinases. Whereas ErbB-1 binds to the epidermal growth factor (EGF), both ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 bind to the Neu differentiation factors (NDFs, or neuregulins), and ErbB-2, the most oncogenic family member, is an orphan receptor whose function is still unknown. Because previous lines of evidence indicated the existence of interreceptor interactions, we used ectopic expression of individual ErbB proteins and their combinations to analyze the details of receptor cross talks. We show that 8 of 10 possible homo-and heterodimeric complexes of ErbB proteins can be hierarchically induced by ligand binding. Although ErbB-2 binds neither ligand, even in a heterodimeric receptor complex, it is the preferred heterodimer partner of the three other members, and it favors interaction with ErbB-3. Selective receptor overexpression in human tumor cells appears to bias the hierarchical relationships. The ordered network is reflected in receptor transphosphorylation, ErbB-2-mediated enhancement of ligand affinities, and remarkable potentiation of mitogenesis by a coexpressed ErbB-2. The observed superior ability of ErbB-2 to form heterodimers, in conjunction with its uniquely high basal tyrosine kinase activity, may explain why ErbB-2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis.

Neu differentiation factor/neuregulin isoforms activate distinct receptor combinations

The multiple isoforms of Neu differentiation factor (NDF/neuregulin) induce a pleiotropic cellular response that is isoform-specific and cell type-dependent. The molecular basis of this heterogeneity was addressed by comparing the two major groups of isoforms, alpha and beta. Both groups bind to the catalytically impaired receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB-3, whose mitogenic stimulation by NDF requires transactivation by other ErbB proteins, either ErbB-1 or ErbB-2. By expressing each pair of receptors in interleukin 3-dependent myeloid cells, we found that both isoforms induced mitogenic signals in cells co-expressing the combination of ErbB-3 with ErbB-2. However, only the beta isoform stimulated cells that expressed both ErbB-3 and ErbB-1, and neither isoform was active on cells expressing ErbB-3 alone. Both isoforms bind to all ErbB-3-expressing cells, albeit with different affinities, but the co-stimulatory mitogenic effect is correlated with the ability of each auxiliary receptor to transphosphorylate ErbB-3. These results imply that NDF isoforms differ in their ability to induce receptor heterodimers; whereas both types of isoforms signal through ErbB-3/ErbB-2 heterodimers, only beta isoforms are able to stabilize ErbB-3/ErbB-1 heterodimers.

Rational design for the development of epidermal growth factor receptor antagonists

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) bind with similar high affinity to the human EGF receptor. Using a domain-exchange strategy we have shown that the C-terminal linear region of these molecules is involved in high affinity receptor binding. By further single amino acid substitution in this linear C-terminal region, a putative interaction site of these ligands with their receptor has been identified. This identification of a receptor binding domain in EGF/TGF alpha provides an important initial step in the development of EGF receptor antagonists with significant clinical potential.

A single amino acid exchange, Arg-45 to Ala, generates an epidermal growth factor (EGF) mutant with high affinity for the chicken EGF receptor

The finding that human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) and human transforming growth factor (hTGF) alpha bind with similar affinity to the human EGF receptor but differ in their affinity for the chicken EGF receptor was used as a model system to study ligand-receptor interaction of EGF receptor agonists. We previously constructed domain-exchange mutants of hEGF and hTGF alpha and found that the region COOH-terminal of the sixth cysteine residue in hTGF alpha is important for high affinity binding to the chicken EGF receptor (Kramer, R. H., Lenferink, A. E. G., Lammerts van Bueren-Koornneef, I., van der Meer, A., van de Poll, M. L. M., and van Zoelen, E. J. J. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 8708-8711). To analyze this domain in more detail, we now constructed four additional chimeras in which either the region between the sixth cysteine residue and the highly conserved Leu-47 was exchanged or the region COOH-terminal of Leu-47. A mutant in which the latter region in hEGF was replaced by hTGF alpha (designated E6ET) showed intermediate binding affinity, whereas replacement of the former region in hEGF by hTGF alpha was sufficient to generate a mutant (designated E6TE) with a similar high affinity for the chicken EGF receptor as wild type hTGF alpha. Furthermore, a deletion mutant of hEGF lacking three COOH-terminal amino acids, EGF50, showed intermediate binding affinity for the chicken EGF receptor similar to E6ET, but upon additional deletions (EGF49 and EGF48), this initial gain in affinity was lost. A systematic analysis of the region between the sixth cysteine residue and Leu-47 showed that the low affinity of hEGF for the chicken EGF receptor is mainly due to the presence of Arg-45. Replacement of the positively charged Arg-45 by Ala, the corresponding amino acid in hTGF alpha, was sufficient to generate a mutant growth factor with high affinity for the chicken EGF receptor. This indicates that in hEGF Arg-45 may play an important role in receptor binding. A model is proposed in which positively charged amino acids close to or within the receptor recognition site of hEGF prohibit high affinity binding to the chicken EGF receptor due to electrostatic repulsion of positively charged amino acids in the putative ligand binding domain of the chicken EGF receptor.