Functional roles of the Shc phosphotyrosine binding and Src homology 2 domains in insulin and epidermal growth factor signaling

The PTB domain of ShcA couples receptor activation to the cytoskeletal regulator IQGAP1

Adaptor proteins respond to stimuli and recruit downstream complexes using interactions conferred by associated protein domains and linear motifs. The ShcA adaptor contains two phosphotyrosine recognition modules responsible for binding activated receptors, resulting in the subsequent recruitment of Grb2 and activation of Ras/MAPK. However, there is evidence that Grb2-independent signalling from ShcA has an important role in development. Using mass spectrometry, we identified the multidomain scaffold IQGAP1 as a ShcA-interacting protein. IQGAP1 and ShcA co-precipitate and are co-recruited to membrane ruffles induced by activated receptors of the ErbB family, and a reduction in ShcA protein levels inhibits the formation of lamellipodia. We used NMR to characterize a direct, non-canonical ShcA PTB domain interaction with a helical fragment from the IQGAP1 N-terminal region that is pTyr-independent. This interaction is mutually exclusive with binding to a more conventional PTB domain peptide ligand from PTP-PEST. ShcA-mediated recruitment of IQGAP1 may have an important role in cytoskeletal reorganization downstream of activated receptors at the cell surface.

EGF stimulates mesangial cell mitogenesis via PI3-kinase-mediated MAPK-dependent and AKT kinase-independent manner: involvement of c-fos and p27Kip1

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen for mesangial cells. The mechanism by which EGF induces DNA synthesis is not precisely understood. We investigated the role of phosphatidylinositol (PI)3-kinase in regulating mitogenesis. EGF increased PI3-kinase activity resulting in stimulation of PDK-1 and Akt kinase activities. Blocking of PI3-kinase activity using LY-294002 or adenoviral expression of PTEN, which dephosphorylates PI3,4,5-tris-phosphate and thus inactivates PI3-kinase signaling, significantly inhibits EGF-induced DNA synthesis. Expression of dominant-negative Akt kinase, however, had no effect on DNA synthesis. But it inhibited EGF-induced phosphorylation of FoxO3a transcription factor, thus demonstrating its functional consequences. These data indicate that EGF increases the DNA synthesis in a PI3-kinase-dependent but Akt-independent manner. In addition to activating PI3-kinase signaling, EGF increased Erk1/2 MAPK activity, leading to transcriptional activation of its nuclear target Elk-1 and resulting in c-fos expression. Inhibition of MAPK activity by MEK inhibitor U-0126 abolished EGF-induced DNA synthesis. Because EGF activates PI3-kinase, which also regulates DNA synthesis, the effect of PI3-kinase on MAPK activity was also examined. Inhibition of PI3-kinase signaling blocked EGF-induced MAPK activity as well as Elk-1-dependent reporter transcription and c-fos gene transcription. To further determine the mechanism of EGF-induced DNA synthesis, we investigated the effect of EGF on the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1). EGF reduced the expression of p27(Kip1). Inhibition of PI3-kinase action or MAPK activity abolished the reduction in p27(Kip1) expression induced by EGF. These data provide the evidence that a linear signal transduction pathway involving PI3-kinase-dependent MAPK regulates EGF-induced DNA synthesis in mesangial cells by regulating c-fos and p27(Kip1) expression.

Insulin-induced beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation is a mechanism for desensitization of ERK activation by Galphai-coupled receptors

Beta-arrestin1 is an adapter/scaffold for many G protein-coupled receptors during mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Phosphorylation of beta-arrestin1 at position Ser-412 is a regulator of beta-arrestin1 function, and in the present study, we showed that insulin led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation, which blocked isoproterenol- and lysophosphatidic acid-induced Ser-412 dephosphorylation and impaired ERK signaling by these G protein-coupled receptor ligands. Insulin treatment also led to accumulation of Ser-412-phosphorylated beta-arrestin1 at the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and prevented insulin-like growth factor 1/Src association. Insulin-induced Ser-412 phosphorylation was partially dependent on ERK as treatment with the MEK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited the insulin effect (62% reduction, p = 0.03). Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by wortmannin did not have a significant effect (9% reduction, p = 0.41). We also found that the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was in a molecular complex with beta-arrestin1 and that the PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid increased Ser-412 phosphorylation. Concomitant addition of insulin and okadaic acid did not produce an additive effect on Ser-412 phosphorylation, suggesting a common mechanism. Small t antigen specifically inhibited PP2A, and in HIRcB cells expressing small t antigen, beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation was increased, and insulin had no further effect. Insulin treatment caused increased beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation, which blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and internalization by beta-arrestin1-dependent receptors with no effect on beta-adrenergic receptor Gs-mediated cAMP production. These findings provide a new mechanism for insulin-induced desensitization of ERK activation by Galphai-coupled receptors.

Comparative signaling pathways of insulin-like growth factor-1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampal neurons and the role of the PI3 kinase pathway in cell survival

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are trophic factors required for the viability and normal functions of various neuronal cells. However, the detailed intracellular mechanism(s) involved in these effects in neuronal cells remains to be fully elucidated. In present study, the respective intracellular signaling pathway induced by IGF-1 and BDNF and their possible role in neuronal survival were investigated. Both IGF-1 and BDNF protected hippocampal neurons from serum deprivation-induced death with IGF-1 apparently being more potent. Western blot analyses showed that both IGF-1 and BDNF induced the activation of the phosphatidylinositide 3 kinase (PI3)/Akt (protein kinase B) kinase and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream target, FKHRL1, induced by IGF-1 was rapid and sustained while that of MAPK was transient. The reverse situation was observed for BDNF. Moreover, IGF-1 potently induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and its association with PI3 kinase while BDNF was weak in these assays. In contrast, the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc proteins was dramatically stimulated by BDNF, with IGF-1 having only a minimal effect. Most interestingly, only the inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt pathway, LY294002, was able to block the survival effects of both IGF-1 and BDNF; an inhibitor of the MAPK pathway inhibitor, PD98059, being ineffective. Taken together, these data reveal that the survival properties of both IGF-1 and BDNF against serum deprivation are mediated by the activation of the PI3K/Akt, but not the MAPK, pathway in hippocampal neurons.

Roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3'-kinase in ErbB2/ErbB3 coreceptor-mediated heregulin signaling

ErbB2/HER2 and ErbB3/HER3, two members of the ErbB/HER family, together constitute a heregulin coreceptor complex that elicits a potent mitogenic and transforming signal. Among known intracellular effectors of the ErbB2/ErbB3 heregulin coreceptor are mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase. Activation of the distinct MAPK and PI 3-kinase signaling pathways by the ErbB2/ErbB3 coreceptor in response to heregulin and their relative contributions to the mitogenic and transformation potentials of the activated coreceptor were investigated here. To this end, cDNAs encoding the wild-type ErbB3 protein (ErbB3-WT) and ErbB3 proteins with amino acid substitutions in either the Shc-binding site (ErbB3-Y1325F), the six putative PI 3-kinase-binding sites (ErbB3-6F), or both (ErbB3-7F) were generated and expressed in NIH-3T3 cells to form functional ErbB2/ErbB3 heregulin coreceptors. While the coreceptor incorporating ErbB3-WT activated both the MAPK and the PI 3-kinase signaling pathways, those incorporating ErbB3-Y1325F or ErbB3-6F activated either PI 3-kinase or MAPK, respectively. The ErbB2/ErbB3-7F coreceptor activated neither. Elimination of either signaling pathway lowered basal and eliminated heregulin-dependent expression of cyclin D1, which was in each case accompanied by an attenuated mitogenic response. Selective elimination of the PI 3-kinase pathway severely impaired the ability of heregulin to transform cells expressing the coreceptor, whereas attenuation of the MAPK pathway had a lesser effect. Thus, while both pathways contributed in a roughly additive manner to the mitogenic response elicited by the activated ErbB2/ErbB3 coreceptor, the PI 3-kinase pathway predominated in the induction of cellular transformation.

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha mimic the effects of insulin in human fat cells and augment downstream signaling in insulin resistance

The ability of the growth factors epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha, and platelet-derived growth factor to exert insulin-like effects on glucose transport and lipolysis were examined in human and rat fat cells. No effects were found in rat fat cells, whereas EGF (EC(50) for glucose transport approximately 0.02 nm) and transforming growth factor alpha (EC(50) approximately 0.2 nm), but not platelet-derived growth factor, mimicked the effects of insulin (EC(50) approximately 0.2 nm) on both pathways. EGF receptors, but not EGF, were abundantly expressed in human fat cells as well as in human skeletal muscle. EGF increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins (the EGF receptor, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, IRS-2, and Grb2-associated binder 1), whereas Shc and Gab2 were only weakly and inconsistently phosphorylated. p85, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), was also found to associate with all of these docking molecules, showing that EGF activated PI 3-kinase pools that were additional to those of insulin. EGF and/or insulin increased protein kinase B/Akt serine phosphorylation to a similar extent, whereas mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation was more pronounced for EGF than for insulin. The impaired insulin-stimulated downstream signaling, measured as protein kinase B/Akt serine phosphorylation, in insulin-resistant cells (Type 2 diabetes) was improved by the addition of EGF. Thus, EGF receptors, but not EGF, are abundantly expressed in human fat cells and skeletal muscle. EGF mimics the effects of insulin on both the metabolic and mitogenic pathways but utilize in part different signaling pathways. Both insulin and EGF increase the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of IRS-1 and IRS-2, whereas EGF is also capable of activating additional PI 3-kinase pools and, thus, can augment the downstream signaling of insulin in insulin-resistant states like Type 2 diabetes.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The interactions between the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and Ras/MAPK kinase pathways have been the subject of considerable interest. In the current studies, we find that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) lead to rapid phosphorylation of Shc (maximum at 1-2 min), whereas insulin-mediated Shc phosphorylation is relatively delayed (maximum at 5-10 min), suggesting that an intermediary step may be necessary for insulin stimulation of Shc phosphorylation. The Src homology-2 (SH2) domain of Shc is necessary for PDGF- and EGF-mediated Shc phosphorylation, whereas the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain is critical for the actions of insulin. Because the Shc PTB domain can interact with phospholipids, we postulated that PI 3-kinase might be a necessary intermediary step facilitating insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Shc. In support of this, we found that the PI 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, blocked insulin-stimulated but not EGF- or PDGF-stimulated Shc phosphorylation. Furthermore, overexpression of a dominant negative PI 3-kinase construct (p85N-SH2) blocked insulin, but not EGF- or PDGF-induced Shc phosphorylation. All three growth factors cause localization of Shc to the plasma membrane, but only the effect of insulin was inhibited by wortmannin, supporting the view that PI 3-kinase-generated phospholipids mediate insulin-stimulated Shc phosphorylation. Consistent with this, expression of a constitutively active PI 3-kinase (p110(C)(AAX)) increased membrane localization of Shc, and this was completely blocked by wortmannin. A mutant Shc with a disrupted PTB domain (Shc S154) did not localize to the membrane in p110(C)(AAX)-expressing cells or after insulin stimulation and was not phosphorylated by insulin. In summary, 1) PI 3-kinase is a necessary early step in insulin-stimulated Shc phosphorylation, whereas the effects of EGF and PDGF on Shc phosphorylation are independent of PI 3-kinase. 2) PI 3-kinase-stimulated generation of membrane phospholipids can localize Shc to the plasma membrane through the Shc PTB domain facilitating phosphorylation by the insulin receptor.

Protein phosphatase 2A forms a molecular complex with Shc and regulates Shc tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream mitogenic signaling

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a multimeric serine/threonine phosphatase that carries out multiple functions. Although numerous observations suggest that PP2A plays a major role in downregulation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, the precise mechanisms are unknown. To clarify the role of PP2A in growth factor (insulin, epidermal growth factor [EGF], and insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1]) stimulation of the Ras/MAP kinase pathway, simian virus 40 small t antigen was expressed in Rat-1 fibroblasts which overexpress insulin receptors. Small t antigen is known to specifically inhibit PP2A by binding to the A PP2A regulatory subunit, interfering with the ability of PP2A to bind to its cellular substrates. Overexpressed small t protein was coimmunoprecipitated with PP2A and inhibited cellular PP2A activity but did not inhibit protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) activity. Insulin, IGF-1, and EGF stimulation also inhibited PP2A activity. Growth factor-stimulated Ras, Raf-1, MAP kinase, and mitogen-activated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) activities were elevated in small-t-antigen-expressing cells. Furthermore, Shc tyrosine phosphorylation and its association with Grb2 were also elevated in small-t-antigen-expressing cells. Expression levels of Shc, Ras, MEK, or MAP kinase and phosphorylation of insulin, EGF, and IGF-1 receptors were not altered. Interestingly, we found that PP2A associated with Shc in the basal state and dissociated in response to insulin and EGF and that this dissociation was inhibited by 65% in small-t-antigen-expressing cells. In addition, we found that PP2A associates with the phosphotyrosine-binding domain (PTB domain) of Shc and that phosphorylation of tyrosine 317 of Shc was required for PP2A-Shc dissociation. We conclude (i) that PP2A negatively regulates the Ras/MAP kinase pathway by binding to Shc, inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation; (ii) that the Shc-PP2A association is mediated by the Shc PTB domain but the interaction is independent of phosphotyrosine binding, indicating a new molecular function for the PTB domain; (iii) that growth factor stimulation, or small-t-antigen expression, causes dissociation of the PP2A-Shc complex, facilitating Shc phosphorylation and downstream activations of the Ras/MAP kinase pathway; and (iv) that this defines a new mechanism of small-t-antigen action to promote mitogenesis.

PLC-gamma1 enzyme activity is required for insulin-induced DNA synthesis

Previously, we had shown that inhibition of PLC activity impaired the ability of insulin to activate ERK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In this study, we confirmed that the insulin receptor and PLC-gamma1 are physically associated in hIRcB fibroblasts, insulin stimulates PLC-gamma1 enzyme activity, and inhibition of PLC activity impairs activation of ERK. We subsequently investigated whether PLC-gamma1 is required for insulin-stimulated mitogenesis. First, inhibition of PLC activity using U73122 impairs the ability of insulin to stimulate DNA synthesis. Second, disruption of the interaction of the insulin receptor with PLC-gamma1 by microinjection of SH2 domains derived from PLC-gamma1 or Grb2 but not Shc similarly blocks insulin-induced DNA synthesis. Third, microinjection of neutralizing antibodies to PLC-gamma1 blocks DNA synthesis, but nonneutralizing antibodies do not. The blockade in all three cases is rescued by synthetic diacylglycerols but not by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, indicating a requirement for PLC enzyme activity. These experimental data point to a requirement for PLC-gamma1 in insulin-stimulated mitogenesis in hIRcB cells.

Insulin signals to prenyltransferases via the Shc branch of intracellular signaling

We assessed the roles of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and Shc in insulin action on farnesyltransferase (FTase) and geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I) using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that overexpress wild-type human insulin receptors (CHO-hIR-WT) or mutant insulin receptors lacking the NPEY domain (CHO-DeltaNPEY) or 3T3-L1 fibroblasts transfected with adenoviruses that express the PTB or SAIN domain of IRS-1 and Shc, the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of IRS-1, or the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of Shc. Insulin promoted phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit of FTase and GGTase I in CHO-hIR-WT cells, but was without effect in CHO-DeltaNPEY cells. Insulin increased FTase and GGTase I activities and the amounts of prenylated Ras and RhoA proteins in CHO-hIR-WT (but not CHO-DeltaNPEY) cells. Overexpression of the PTB or SAIN domain of IRS-1 (which blocked both IRS-1 and Shc signaling) prevented insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the FTase and GGTase I alpha-subunit activation of FTase and GGTase I and subsequent increases in prenylated Ras and RhoA proteins. In contrast, overexpression of the IRS-1 PH domain, which impairs IRS-1 (but not Shc) signaling, did not alter insulin action on the prenyltransferases, but completely inhibited the insulin effect on the phosphorylation of IRS-1 and on the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt. Finally, overexpression of the Shc SH2 domain completely blocked the insulin effect on FTase and GGTase I activities without interfering with insulin signaling to MAPK. These data suggest that insulin signaling from its receptor to the prenyltransferases FTase and GGTase I is mediated by the Shc pathway, but not the IRS-1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. Shc-mediated insulin signaling to MAPK may be necessary (but not sufficient) for activation of prenyltransferase activity. An additional pathway involving the Shc SH2 domain may be necessary to mediate the insulin effect on FTase and GGTase I.

The somatomedin hypothesis: 2001

Since the original somatomedin hypothesis was conceived, a number of important discoveries have allowed investigators to modify the concept. Originally somatic growth was thought to be controlled by pituitary GH and mediated by circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I, somatomedin C) expressed exclusively by the liver. With the discovery that IGF-I is produced by most, if not all, tissues, the role of autocrine/paracrine IGF-I vs. the circulating form has been hotly debated. Recent experiments using transgenic and gene-deletion technologies have attempted to answer these questions. In the liverspecific igf-1 gene-deleted mouse model, postnatal growth and development are normal despite the marked reduction in circulating IGF-I and IGF-binding protein levels; free IGF-I levels are normal. Thus, the normal postnatal growth and development in these animals may be due to normal free IGF-I levels (from as yet unidentified sources), although the role of autocrine/paracrine IGF-I has yet to be determined.

Oxidative stress and gene regulation

Reactive oxygen species are produced by all aerobic cells and are widely believed to play a pivotal role in aging as well as a number of degenerative diseases. The consequences of the generation of oxidants in cells does not appear to be limited to promotion of deleterious effects. Alterations in oxidative metabolism have long been known to occur during differentiation and development. Experimental perturbations in cellular redox state have been shown to exert a strong impact on these processes. The discovery of specific genes and pathways affected by oxidants led to the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species serve as subcellular messengers in gene regulatory and signal transduction pathways. Additionally, antioxidants can activate numerous genes and pathways. The burgeoning growth in the number of pathways shown to be dependent on oxidation or antioxidation has accelerated during the last decade. In the discussion presented here, we provide a tabular summary of many of the redox effects on gene expression and signaling pathways that are currently known to exist.

Bifurcation of cell migratory and proliferative signaling by the adaptor protein Shc

Cytokines and extracellular matrix proteins initiate signaling cascades that regulate cell migration and proliferation. Evidence is provided that the adaptor protein Shc can differentially regulate these processes. Specifically, under growth factor-limiting conditions, Shc stimulates haptotactic cell migration without affecting anchorage-dependent proliferation. However, when growth factors are present, Shc no longer influences cell migration; rather, Shc is crucial for DNA synthesis. Mutational analysis of Shc demonstrates that, while tyrosine phosphorylation is required for both DNA synthesis and cell migration, the switch in Shc signaling is associated with differential use of Shc's phosphotyrosine interacting domains; the PTB domain regulates haptotaxis, while the SH2 domain is selectively required for proliferation.

Brain insulin receptors and spatial memory. Correlated changes in gene expression, tyrosine phosphorylation, and signaling molecules in the hippocampus of water maze trained rats

Evidence accumulated from clinical and basic research has indirectly implicated the insulin receptor (IR) in brain cognitive functions, including learning and memory (Wickelgren, I. (1998) Science 280, 517-519). The present study investigates correlative changes in IR expression, phosphorylation, and associated signaling molecules in the rat hippocampus following water maze training. Although the distribution of IR protein matched that of IR mRNA in most forebrain regions, a dissociation of the IR mRNA and protein expression patterns was found in the cerebellar cortex. After training, IR mRNA in the CA1 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was up-regulated, and there was increased accumulation of IR protein in the hippocampal crude synaptic membrane fraction. In the CA1 pyramidal neurons, changes in the distribution pattern of IR in particular cellular compartments, such as the nucleus and dendritic regions, was observed only in trained animals. Although IR showed a low level of in vivo tyrosine phosphorylation, an insulin-stimulated increase of in vitro Tyr phosphorylation of IR was detected in trained animals, suggesting that learning may induce IR functional changes, such as enhanced receptor sensitivity. Furthermore, a training-induced co-immunoprecipitation of IR with Shc-66 was detected, along with changes in in vivo Tyr phosphorylation of Shc and mitogen-activated protein kinase, as well as accumulation of Shc-66, Shc-52, and Grb-2 in hippocampal synaptic membrane fractions following training. These findings suggest that IR may participate in memory processing through activation of its receptor Tyr kinase activity, and they suggest possible engagement of Shc/Grb-2/Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades.

Insulin signalling: metabolic pathways and mechanisms for specificity

Biological actions of insulin are mediated by the insulin receptor, a member of a large family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). Signal transduction by the insulin receptor follows a paradigm for RTK signalling. Many intracellular signalling molecules contain multiple modular domains that mediate protein-protein interactions and participate in the formation of signalling complexes. Phosphorylation cascades are also a prominent feature of RTK signalling. Distal pathways are difficult to dissect because branching paths emerge from downstream effectors and several upstream inputs converge upon single branch points. Thus, insulin action is determined by complicated signalling networks rather than simple linear pathways. Interestingly, many signalling molecules downstream from the insulin receptor are also activated by a plethora of RTKs. Therefore, mechanisms that generate specificity are required. In this review we discuss recent advances in the elucidation of specific metabolic insulin signalling pathways related to glucose transport, one of the most distinctive biological actions of insulin. We also present examples of potential mechanisms underlying specificity in insulin signalling including interactions between multiple branching pathways, subcellular compartmentalization, tissue-specific expression of key effectors and modulation of signal frequency and amplitude.

Age-dependent decline in mitogenic stimulation of hepatocytes. Reduced association between Shc and the epidermal growth factor receptor is coupled to decreased activation of Raf and extracellular signal-regulated kinases

The proliferative potential of the liver has been well documented to decline with age. However, the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon is not well understood. Cellular proliferation is the result of growth factor-receptor binding and activation of cellular signaling pathways to regulate specific gene transcription. To determine the mechanism of the age-related difference in proliferation, we evaluated extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and events upstream in the signaling pathway in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated hepatocytes isolated from young and old rats. We confirm the age-associated decrease in extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in response to EGF that has been previously reported. We also find that the activity of the upstream kinase, Raf kinase, is decreased in hepatocytes from old compared with young rats. An early age-related difference in the EGF-stimulated pathway is shown to be the decreased ability of the adapter protein, Shc, to associate with the EGF receptor through the Shc phosphotyrosine binding domain. To address the mechanism of decreased Shc/EGF receptor interaction, we examined the phosphorylation of the EGF receptor at tyrosine 1173, a site recognized by the Shc phosphotyrosine binding domain. Tyrosine 1173 of the EGF receptor is underphosphorylated in the hepatocytes from old animals compared with young in a Western blot analysis using a phosphospecific antibody that recognizes phosphotyrosine 1173 of the EGF receptor. These data suggest that a molecular mechanism underlying the age-associated decrease in hepatocyte proliferation involves an age-dependent regulation of site-specific tyrosine residue phosphorylation on the EGF receptor.

Cloning and characterization of mPAL, a novel Shc SH2 domain-binding protein expressed in proliferating cells

Shc adaptor proteins play a role in linking activated cell surface receptors to the Ras signaling pathway in response to receptor mediated tyrosine kinase activation. While the function of Shc in the activation of the Ras pathway via binding to Grb2 has been well characterized, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Shc participates in additional signaling pathways through interactions with other cytoplasmic proteins. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we have identified a unique Shc binding protein designated PAL (Protein expressed in Activated Lymphocytes) with no similarity to other known proteins. mPAL binds specifically to the Shc SH2 domain and unlike previously described Shc SH2 domain-protein interactions, the association of mPAL and Shc is phosphotyrosine-independent. Both mPAL RNA and protein expression are restricted to tissues containing actively dividing cells and proliferating cells in culture. mPAL expression is induced upon growth factor stimulation and is down-regulated upon growth inhibition. This pattern, and timing of mPAL expression and its association with the Shc adaptor molecule suggests a role for this protein in signaling pathways governing cell cycle progression.

Role of tyrosine residues and protein interaction domains of SHC adaptor in VEGF receptor 3 signaling

The VEGFR3/FLT4 receptor, which is involved in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, binds and phosphorylates SHC proteins on tyrosine residues. SHC contains two phosphotyrosine interaction domains: a PTB (Phosphotyrosine Binding) and a SH2 (Src Homology 2) domain. Previous studies have shown that SHC proteins are phosphorylated on Y239/Y240 and Y313 (Y317 in humans) by tyrosine kinases such as the EGF and IL3 receptors. We have investigated which of the SHC tyrosine residues are targeted by the VEGFR3/ FLT4 kinase and the role of the SHC PTB and SH2 domains in this process. Our results show that Y239/ Y240 and Y313 are simultaneously phosphorylated by the kinase, creating GRB2 binding sites. Mutation of SHC PTB, but not SH2, domain interferes with the SHC phosphorylation by VEGFR3/FLT4. Soft agar assay experiments revealed that the VEGFR3/FLT4 transforming capacity is increased by the mutation of Y239/Y240 to phenylalanines in SHC, suggesting that these two residues mediate an inhibitory signal for cell growth. Mutation of the two phosphorylation sites increases this effect, suggesting that they have a synergistic role.

Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor signal transduction: at the interface between physiology and cell biology

The insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) mediates the biological actions of IGF-I and IGF-II. The IGFs play a critical role in promoting development, stimulating growth and organogenesis via mitogenic, antiapoptotic and chemotactic activity. Recent research has focused on the events that occur intracellularly upon receptor activation. Several pathways have been shown to be important. The insulin-receptor substrate (IRS), SHC, GRB2, CRKII and CRKL adaptor proteins have all been implicated in transmitting signals to the nucleus of the cell. This review outlines some of the signalling pathways believed to be important in converting IGF-IR activation into changes in cell behavior and metabolism.

Mutation of a Shc binding site tyrosine residue in ErbB3/HER3 blocks heregulin-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase

The ErbB2 and ErbB3 proteins together constitute a functional coreceptor for heregulin (neuregulin). Heregulin stimulates the phosphorylation of both coreceptor constituents and initiates a variety of other signaling events, which include phosphorylation of the Shc protein. The role of Shc in heregulin-stimulated signal transduction through the ErbB2.ErbB3 coreceptor was investigated here. Heregulin was found to promote ErbB3/Shc association in NIH-3T3 cells expressing endogenous ErbB2 and recombinant ErbB3. A mutant ErbB3 protein was generated in which Tyr-1325 in a consensus Shc phosphotyrosine-binding domain recognition site was mutated to Phe (ErbB3-Y/F). This mutation abolished the association of Shc with ErbB3 and blocked the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by heregulin. Whereas heregulin induced mitogenesis in NIH-3T3 cells transfected with wild-type ErbB3 cDNA, this mitogenic response was markedly attenuated in NIH-3T3 cells transfected with the ErbB3-Y/F cDNA. These results showed a specific interaction of Shc with the ErbB3 receptor protein and demonstrated the importance of this interaction in the activation of mitogenic responses by the ErbB2. ErbB3 heregulin coreceptor complex.

The src homology 2 and phosphotyrosine binding domains of the ShcC adaptor protein function as inhibitors of mitogenic signaling by the epidermal growth factor receptor

Upon ligand activation, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated, thereby recruiting intracellular signaling proteins such as Shc. EGFR binding of Shc proteins results in their tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the Ras and Erk pathways. Shc interaction with activated receptor tyrosine kinases is mediated by two distinct phosphotyrosine interaction domains, an NH2-terminal phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain and a COOH-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain. The relative importance of these two domains for EGFR binding was examined by determining if expression of the isolated SH2 or PTB domain of ShcC would inhibit EGFR signaling. The SH2 domain potently inhibited numerous aspects of EGFR signaling including activation of Erk2 and the Elk-1 transcription factor as well as EGFR-dependent transformation. Furthermore, the SH2 domain inhibited focus formation by the Neu oncoprotein, another EGFR family member. Surprisingly, inhibition of the EGFR by the SH2 domain did not involve stable association with the receptor. In contrast, the PTB domain associated quite well with the receptor yet had little effect on EGFR signaling. Although the EGFR cytoplasmic tail contains consensus binding sites for the PTB and SH2 domains of ShcC, and both domains of ShcC interact with the receptor in vitro, the SH2 domain is more potent for inhibiting receptor function in vivo. However, inhibition is not due to stable association with the receptor, suggesting that the SH2 domain is binding to a heretofore unknown protein(s) necessary for proper EGFR function.

Differential utilization of ShcA tyrosine residues and functional domains in the transduction of epidermal growth factor-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in 293T cells and nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Identification of a new Grb2.Sos1 binding site

By transient expression of both truncated forms of p52(SHCA) and those with point mutations in 293T cells, it has been shown that, in addition to Tyr-317, Tyr-239/240 is a major site of phosphorylation that serves as a docking site for Grb2.Sos1 complexes. In addition, analysis of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in 293T cells showed that the overexpression Shc SH2 or phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains of ShcA alone has a more potent negative effect than the overexpression of the forms of ShcA lacking Tyr-317 or Tyr 239/240 or both. In transiently transfected PC12 cells, the ShcA PTB domain and tyrosine phosphorylation in the CH1 domain, especially on Tyr-239/240, are crucial for mediating nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that the EGF and NGF (TrkA) receptor can utilize Shc in different ways to promote their activity. For EGF-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in 293T cells, both Shc PTB and SH2 domains are essential for optimal activation, indicating that a mechanism independent of Grb2 engagement with Shc may exist. For NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, Shc PTB plays an essential role, and phosphorylation on Tyr-239/240, but not on Tyr-317, is required.

SH2 and PTB domain interactions in tyrosine kinase signal transduction

Proteins with SH2 or phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains bind activated tyrosine kinase receptors and their substrates to propagate signals into cells. Both of the domains recognize phosphotyrosine. Selectivity in these interactions is conferred by short flanking peptide motifs. Therefore, potential exists for modulating tyrosine kinase signaling pathways by the discovery of compounds that selectively bind SH2 and PTB domains. Recent advances with small peptides and nonpeptide compounds suggest that this opportunity can be realized.

Interaction of the adaptor protein Shc and the adhesion molecule cadherin

In mitogenic signaling pathways, Shc participates in the growth factor activation of Ras by interacting with activated receptors and/or the Grb-2.Sos complex. Using several experimental approaches we demonstrate that Shc, through its SH2 domain, forms a complex with the cytoplasmic domain of cadherin, a transmembrane protein involved in the Ca2+-dependent regulation of cell-cell adhesion. This interaction is demonstrated in a yeast two-hybrid assay, by co-precipitation from mammalian cells, and by direct biochemical analysis in vitro. The Shc-cadherin association is phosphotyrosine-dependent and is abrogated by addition of epidermal growth factor to A-431 cells maintained in Ca2+-free medium, a condition that promotes changes in cell shape. Shc may therefore participate in the control of cell-cell adhesion as well as mitogenic signaling through Ras.

Cellular effects of phosphotyrosine-binding domain inhibitors on insulin receptor signaling and trafficking

Shc and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) are cytoplasmic substrates of tyrosine kinase receptors that engage, localize, and activate downstream SH2 enzymes. Each contains a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain that is structurally unrelated to SH2 domains. We have designed high-affinity, cellular inhibitors of the Shc PTB domain by incorporating nonnatural, phosphatase-resistant amino acids into short peptides. None of the inhibitors bind the IRS-1 PTB domain, consistent with distinct specificities for domains. The best inhibitor of the Shc domain was introduced by electroporation into Rat1 fibroblasts that express human insulin receptors. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Shc was inhibited, with no effect on IRS-1, and downstream effects on mitogen-activated protein kinase and DNA synthesis were both inhibited. The PTB domain inhibitor had less influence on epidermal growth factor-induced effects and essentially no impact on serum- or phorbol ester-induced effects. The inhibitor did not affect insulin internalization and its degradation. We conclude that the PTB domain of Shc is critical for its phosphorylation by the insulin receptor, that Shc is an important mediator of insulin's mitogenic effects, and that Shc is not central to insulin receptor cycling in these cells. PTB domains can be inhibited selectively in cells and represent potential targets for drug discovery.