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Differential signaling by an anti-p185(HER2) antibody and heregulin

X F Le1, R Vadlamudi, A McWatters

  • 1Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.

Cancer Research
|July 26, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Anti-HER2 antibody (ID5) and heregulin utilize distinct molecular pathways to inhibit tumor growth. ID5 activates phospholipase C (PLC) signaling, while heregulin activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) and c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • HER2 overexpression is common in breast cancer, driving tumor growth.
  • Understanding signaling pathways activated by anti-HER2 therapies is crucial for treatment optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct molecular mechanisms of tumor growth inhibition by anti-HER2 antibody ID5 and the ligand heregulin.
  • To compare the signaling pathways activated by ID5 and heregulin in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated tyrosine phosphorylation of HER2 and HER3.
  • Assessed protein-protein interactions including phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma1, SHC isoforms, and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-K).
  • Measured enzyme activities (PLC, PI3-K) and downstream signaling pathway activation (c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase).
  • Evaluated effects on cell cycle progression (G1, G2-M arrest), apoptosis, and differentiation.

Main Results:

  • ID5 induced HER2 phosphorylation and increased PLC-gamma1 association and activity, independent of PLC inhibition for cell cycle arrest.
  • Heregulin induced HER2/HER3 phosphorylation and activated PI3-K and c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase signaling pathways.
  • ID5 preferentially bound SHC isoforms to HER2, while heregulin bound SHC to HER3.
  • ID5 pretreatment reduced heregulin-induced HER2-HER3 association and downstream signaling.
  • Heregulin-induced apoptosis was blocked by p70s6k inhibition, and differentiation by PI3-K inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-HER2 antibody ID5 and heregulin employ divergent intracellular signaling cascades.
  • ID5 primarily signals through PLC-gamma1, leading to cell cycle arrest.
  • Heregulin signals through PI3-K and JNK pathways, mediating apoptosis and differentiation.
  • Both agents effectively inhibit clonogenic growth in HER2-overexpressing cells via distinct mechanisms.

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