Characterization of a comparative model of the extracellular domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor

A novel recombinant anti-epidermal growth factor receptor peptide vaccine capable of active immunization and reduction of tumor volume in a mouse model

Over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported in a number of human malignancies. Strong expression of this receptor has been associated with poor survival in many such patients. Active immunizations that elicit antibodies of the desired type could be an appealing alternative to conventional passive immunization. In this regard, a novel recombinant peptide vaccine capable of prophylactic and therapeutic effects was constructed. A novel fusion recombinant peptide base vaccine consisting of L2 domain of murine extra-cellular domain-EGFR and EGFR mimotope (EM-L2) was constructed and its prophylactic and therapeutic effects in a Lewis lung carcinoma mouse (C57/BL6) model evaluated. Constructed recombinant peptide vaccine is capable of reacting with anti-EGFR antibodies. Immunization of mice with EM-L2 peptide resulted in antibody production against EM-L2. The constructed recombinant peptide vaccine reduced tumor growth and increased the survival rate. Designing effective peptide vaccines could be an encouraging strategy in contemporary cancer immunotherapy. Investigating the efficacy of such cancer immunotherapy approaches may open exciting possibilities concerning hyperimmunization, leading to more promising effects on tumor regression and proliferation.

Ectodomain orientation, conformational plasticity and oligomerization of ErbB1 receptors investigated by molecular dynamics

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; ErbB1, HER1 in humans) is a receptor tyrosine kinase triggering signals across the plasma membranes of cells to determine cell fate. We have used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate structural models of ErbB1 ectodomains. We show that, with minor rearrangements, the ErbB1 back-to-back dimer can align almost flat on the cell membrane. This is in contrast to the traditional picture of ErbB1 dimers standing proud of the membrane, but in line with recent FRET and EM experiments. Interaction with the membrane leads to conformational changes in the dimer, which further stabilize the back-to-back interface. On the membrane, two dimers can associate forming a tetramer. This is enabled by a head-to-head interface, involving the ligand binding side of the ectodomain, and which significantly enhances ligand binding. A weak head-to-head interface has been seen in crystal structures, but is found to stabilise appreciably in our simulation. We also find that the domains IV, connecting the receptor to the membrane, weakly interact with each other. These simulations illustrate some of the flexibility of the ErbB1 ectodomains, and may help to explain recent experimental results.

Role of the C-terminal linear region of EGF-like growth factors in ErbB specificity

The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factors bind their ErbB receptors in a highly selective manner. Recently, we have shown that the sequence YYDLL in the C-terminal linear region is compatible with binding to all ligand-binding ErbB receptors. In the present study, we show that introduction of the YYDLL sequence into the ErbB1 specific ligands EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha) broadened their receptor specificity towards ErbB4. Upon introduction of the YYDLL sequence into epiregulin, which by itself binds ErbB1 and ErbB4 but not ErbB3, its binding specificity was broadened to ErbB3, concomitant with enhanced affinity for ErbB4. Introduction of the YYDLL sequence into NRG1beta resulted in a 10-fold increase in affinity for ErbB3, without affecting its receptor specificity. Remarkably, the strongly enhanced affinity for ErbB3 negatively influenced their mitogenic activity towards cells coexpressing ErbB2 and ErbB3. These observations are discussed in terms of the optimised ErbB affinity, selectivity and mitogenic potential that have taken place during evolution.

Negative Constraints Underlie the ErbB Specificity of Epidermal Growth Factor-like Ligands

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factors bind their ErbB receptors in a highly selective manner, but the molecular basis for this specificity is poorly understood. We have previously shown that certain residues in human EGF (Ser(2)-Asp(3)) and TGFalpha (Glu(26)) are not essential for their binding to ErbB1 but prevent binding to ErbB3 and ErbB4. In the present study, we have used a phage display approach to affinity-optimize the C-terminal linear region of EGF-like growth factors for binding to each ErbB receptor and thereby shown that Arg(45) in EGF impairs binding to both ErbB3 and ErbB4. By omitting all these so-called negative constraints from EGF, we designed a ligand designated panerbin that binds ErbB1, ErbB3, and ErbB4 with similarly high affinity as their wild-type ligands. Homology models, based on the known crystal structure of TGFalpha-bound ErbB1, showed that panerbin is able to bind ErbB1, ErbB3, and ErbB4 in a highly similar manner with respect to position and number of interaction sites. Upon in silico introduction of the experimentally known negative constraints into panerbin, we found that Arg(45) induced local charge repulsion and Glu(26) induced steric hindrance in a receptor-specific manner, whereas Ser(2)-Asp(3) impaired binding due to a disordered conformation. Furthermore, radiolabeled panerbin was used to quantify the level of all three receptors on human breast cancer cells in a single radioreceptor assay. It is concluded that the ErbB specificity of EGF-like growth factors primarily results from the presence of a limited number of residues that impair the unintended interaction with other ErbB receptors.

Domain-level antibody epitope mapping through yeast surface display of epidermal growth factor receptor fragments

Individual domains from extracellular proteins are potential reagents for biochemical characterization of ligand/receptor interactions and antibody binding sites. Here, we describe an approach for the identification and characterization of stable protein domains with cell surface display in Saccharomyces cerevesiae, using the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a model system. Fragments of the EGFR were successfully expressed on the yeast cell surface. The yeast-displayed EGFR fragments were properly folded, as assayed with conformationally specific EGFR antibodies. Heat denaturation of yeast-displayed EGFR proteins distinguished between linear and conformational antibody epitopes. In addition, EGFR-specific antibodies were categorized based on their ability to compete ligand binding, which has been shown to have therapeutic implications. Overlapping EGFR antibody epitopes were determined based on a fluorescent competitive binding assay. Yeast surface display is a useful method for identifying stable folded protein domains from multidomain extracellular receptors, as well as characterizing antibody binding epitopes, without the need for soluble protein expression and purification.

Structural analysis of the ErbB-2 receptor using monoclonal antibodies: Implications for receptor signalling

The extracellular part of ErbB-2 is formed by 4 domains, specifically, L1, L2 that adopt a beta-helical structure and S1, S2 that consist of several cysteine-rich, EGF-fold modules. These ectodomains mediate ErbB-2 dimerisation with itself or with other members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family, events essential to both ErbB-2 signaling and the development of certain malignancies. The anti-ErbB-2 monoclonal antibodies N12, N28 and L87 bind to the polypeptides C531-A586, T216-C235 and C220-C235 respectively. In this study, glycine walking and random mutagenesis were used to further delineate the critical residues involved in antibody binding. A molecular model of ErbB-2 ectodomains was then constructed based on the recently published coordinates of the EGFR (EGFR) model. This model rationalized successfully many features of our epitope mapping, including their location in modules within the S1 and S2 domains and the importance of Arg545, Gln548 and Leu561 for N12 binding. Further investigation of the functional effects of the anti-ErbB-2 monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that N28 strongly stimulated ErbB-2 phosphorylation and MAPK activation whereas N12 had no effect. As bivalency is required for the action of these antibodies we propose that at least 2 different kinds of ErbB-2 homodimers can be formed as relative rotational isomers and that the S1 and S2 domains are instrumental in determining the relative orientations of the ErbB-2 homodimers, such that different signaling effects are induced.

Crystal structure of a truncated epidermal growth factor receptor extracellular domain bound to transforming growth factor alpha

We report the crystal structure, at 2.5 A resolution, of a truncated human EGFR ectodomain bound to TGFalpha. TGFalpha interacts with both L1 and L2 domains of EGFR, making many main chain contacts with L1 and interacting with L2 via key conserved residues. The results indicate how EGFR family members can bind a family of highly variable ligands. In the 2:2 TGFalpha:sEGFR501 complex, each ligand interacts with only one receptor molecule. There are two types of dimers in the asymmetric unit: a head-to-head dimer involving contacts between the L1 and L2 domains and a back-to-back dimer dominated by interactions between the CR1 domains of each receptor. Based on sequence conservation, buried surface area, and mutagenesis experiments, the back-to-back dimer is favored to be biologically relevant.

Decorin binds to a narrow region of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, partially overlapping but distinct from the EGF-binding epitope

Decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, is a key regulator of tumor growth by acting as an antagonist of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. To search for cell surface receptors interacting with decorin, we generated a decorin/alkaline phosphatase chimeric protein and used it to screen a cDNA library by expression cloning. We identified two strongly reactive clones that encoded either the full-length EGFR or its ectodomain. A physiologically relevant interaction between decorin and EGFR was confirmed in the yeast two-hybrid system and further validated by experiments using EGF/EGFR interaction and transient cell transfection assays. Using a panel of deletion mutants, decorin binding was mapped to a narrow region of the EGFR within its ligand-binding L2 domain. Moreover, the central leucine-rich repeat 6 of decorin was required for interaction with the EGFR. Site-directed mutagenesis of the EGFR L2 domain showed that a cluster of residues, His(394)-Ile(402), was essential for both decorin and EGF binding. In contrast, K465, previously shown to be cross-linked to epidermal growth factor (EGF), was required for EGF but not for decorin binding. Thus, decorin binds to a discrete region of the EGFR, partially overlapping with but distinct from the EGF-binding domain. These findings could lead to the generation of protein mimetics capable of suppressing EGFR function.

Disabling receptor ensembles with rationally designed interface peptidomimetics

Members of the erbB family receptor tyrosine kinases (erbB1, erbB2, erbB3, and erbB4) are overexpressed in a variety of human cancers and represent important targets for the structure-based drug design. Homo- and heterodimerization (oligomerization) of the erbB receptors are known to be critical events for receptor signaling. To block receptor self-associations, we have designed a series of peptides derived from potential dimerization surfaces in the extracellular subdomain IV of the erbB receptors (erbB peptides). In surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore) studies, the designed peptides have been shown to selectively bind to the erbB receptor ectodomains and isolated subdomain IV of erbB2 with submicromolar affinities and to inhibit heregulin-induced interactions of erbB3 with different erbB receptors. A dose-dependent inhibition of native erbB receptor dimerization by the erbB peptides has been observed in 32D cell lines transfected with different combinations of erbB receptors. The peptides effectively inhibited growth of two types of transformed cells overexpressing different erbB receptors, T6-17 and 32D, in standard MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and cell viability assays. The study identifies distinct loops within the membrane-proximal part of the subdomain IV as potential receptor-receptor interaction sites for the erbB receptors and demonstrates the possibility of disabling receptor activity by structure-based targeting of the dimerization interfaces. Molecular models for possible arrangement of the erbB1.EGF complex, consistent with the involvement of subdomain IV in inter-receptor interactions, are proposed. Small dimerization inhibitors described herein can be useful as probes to elucidate different erbB signaling pathways and may be developed as therapeutic agents.

Modeling the epidermal growth factor -- epidermal growth factor receptor l2 domain interaction: implications for the ligand binding process

Signaling from the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is triggered by the binding of ligands such as EGF or transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) and subsequent receptor dimerization. An understanding of these processes has been hindered by the lack of structural information about the ligand-bound, dimerized EGF receptor. Using an NMR-derived structure of EGF and a homology model of the major ligand binding domain of the EGF receptor and experimental data, we modeled the binding of EGF to this EGF receptor fragment. In this low resolution model of the complex, EGF sits across the second face of the EGF receptor L2 domain and EGF residues 10-16, 36-37, 40-47 bind to this face. The structural model is largely consistent with previously published NMR data describing the residues of TGF-alpha which interact strongly with the EGF receptor. Other EGF residues implicated in receptor binding are accounted by our proposal that the ligand binding is a two-step process with the EGF binding to at least one other site of the receptor. This three-dimensional model is expected to be useful in the design of ligand-based antagonists of the receptor.

Chimeric receptor analyses of the interactions of the ectodomains of ErbB-1 with epidermal growth factor and of those of ErbB-4 with neuregulin

A series of chimeric receptors was generated between the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, ErbB-1, and its homologue, ErbB-4, to investigate the roles of the extracellular domains (I-IV) in the ligand specificities. As compared with ErbB-1 and the chimeras with both domains I and III of ErbB-1, the chimeras with only one of these domains exhibited reduced binding of 125I-labeled EGF. Particularly, the contribution of domain III was appreciably larger than that of domain I of ErbB-1 in 125I-labeled EGF binding. Nevertheless, the chimeras with domain III of ErbB-1 and domain I of ErbB-4 were prevented from binding to 125I-labeled EGF competitively by the ErbB-4 ligand, neuregulin (NRG). On the other hand, NRG did not compete with 125I-labeled EGF for binding to the chimeras with the ErbB-1 domain I and the ErbB-4 domain III. Therefore, NRG binding to ErbB-4 depends much more on domain I than on domain III. With respect to autophosphorylation and subsequent ERK activation, EGF activated the chimeras with either domain I or III of ErbB-1. In contrast, NRG activated the chimeras with the ErbB-4 domain I and the ErbB-1 domain III, but not those with the ErbB-1 domain I and the ErbB-4 domain III. Therefore, the relative contributions between domains I and III of ErbB-4 in the NRG signaling are different from those of ErbB-1 in the EGF signaling.

Identification of a heregulin binding site in HER3 extracellular domain

HER3 (also known as c-Erb-b3) is a type I receptor tyrosine kinase similar in sequence to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. The extracellular segment of this transmembrane receptor contains four domains. Domains I and II are similar in sequence to domains III and IV, respectively, and domains II and IV are cysteine-rich. We show that the EGF-like domain of heregulin (hrg) binds to domains I and II of HER3, in contrast to the EGF receptor, for which prior studies have shown that a construct consisting of domains III and portions of domain IV binds EGF. Next, we identified a putative hrg binding site by limited proteolysis of the recombinant extracellular domains of HER3 (HER3-ECD(I-IV)) in both the presence and absence of hrg. In the absence of hrg, HER3-ECD(I-IV) is cleaved after position Tyr(50), near the beginning of domain I. Binding of hrg to HER3-ECD(I-IV) fully protects position Tyr(50) from proteolysis. To confirm that domain I contains a hrg binding site, we expressed domains I and II (HER3-ECD(I-II)) and find that it binds hrg with 68 nm affinity. These data suggest that domains I and II of HER3-ECD(I-IV) act as a functional unit in folding and binding of hrg. Thus, our biochemical findings reinforce the structural hypothesis of others that HER3-ECD(I-IV) is similar to the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), as follows: 1) The protected cleavage site in HER3-ECD(I-IV) corresponds to a binding footprint in domain I of IGF-1R; 2) HER3-ECD(I-II) binds hrg with a 68 nm dissociation constant, supporting the hypothesis that domain I is involved in ligand binding; and 3) the large accessible surface area (1749 A) of domain L1 of IGF-1R that is buried by domain S1, as well as the presence of conserved contacts in this interface of type 1 RTKs, suggests that domains L1 and S1 of IGF-1R function as a unit as observed for HER3-ECD(I-II). Our results are consistent with the proposal that HER3 has a structure similar to IGF-1R and binds ligand at a site in corresponding domains.

The type III epidermal growth factor receptor mutation. Biological significance and potential target for anti-cancer therapy

Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor occur frequently in a number of human tumours including gliomas, non-small-cell lung carcinomas, ovarian carcinomas and prostate carcinomas. The type III epidermal growth factor receptor mutation (variously named EGFRvIII, de2-7 EGFR or AEGFR), which lacks a portion of the extracellular ligand binding domain, is the most common. Here, we review the current status with regard to the role of EGFRvIII in human cancers. A detailed discussion of the formation of EGFRvIII and its structure at the protein level are likewise included along with a discussion of its more functional roles. The design and use (preclinical and clinical) of small molecule inhibitors, antibodies, and antisense oligonucleotides against wild-type EGFR are considered in detail as these strategies can be directly adapted to target EGFRvIII. Finally, the status of EGFRvIII targeted therapy is reviewed.