Gas1 reduces Ret tyrosine 1062 phosphorylation and alters GDNF-mediated intracellular signaling
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
Miguel A López-Ramírez1, Gabriela Domínguez-Monzón, Paula Vergara
1Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Avenida IPN # 2508, México 07360, D.F., Mexico.
Abstract:
The present results show that the expression of Growth Arrest Specific1 (Gas1) in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells significantly inhibits the increased phosphorylation of tyrosine 1062 of the Ret receptor tyrosine kinase induced by glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). We also observed that Gas1 significantly reduces the activation of Akt. GDNF and members of its family of ligands (GFLs), signal through a molecular complex consisting of one of its receptors (GFRalphas) and the Ret receptor tyrosine kinase. GDNF is a key component to preserve several cell populations in the nervous system, including dopaminergic and motor neurons, and also participates in the survival and differentiation of peripheral neurons such as enteric, sympathetic and parasympathetic. On the other hand, Gas1 is a molecule involved in cell arrest that can induce apoptosis when over-expressed in different cell lines, including cells of neuronal and glial origin. Although, Gas1 is widely expressed during development, its role in vivo has not yet been clearly defined. We recently showed the structural homology between Gas1 and GFRalphas, thus suggesting that the physiological role of Gas1 is that of modulating the biological responses induced by GDNF and/or other members of this family of signaling molecules. The results of this work are consistent with the hypothesis of Gas1 acting as a negative modulator of GDNF signaling.
Insights
Growth Arrest Specific 1 (Gas1) inhibits glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling by reducing Ret receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation and Akt activation in neuroblastoma cells.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is crucial for neuronal survival and differentiation, signaling via Ret receptor tyrosine kinase.
- Growth Arrest Specific 1 (Gas1) is implicated in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, with suggested roles in modulating GDNF family ligand (GFL) signaling due to structural homology with GFRalpha receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Growth Arrest Specific 1 (Gas1) in modulating glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling pathways.
- To determine the effect of Gas1 expression on Ret receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation and Akt activation in neuroblastoma cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to study the effects of Gas1 expression.
- Assessed the phosphorylation of Ret receptor tyrosine kinase at tyrosine 1062.
- Measured the activation of the Akt signaling pathway.
Main Results:
- Gas1 expression significantly inhibited GDNF-induced phosphorylation of Ret receptor tyrosine kinase (Tyr1062).
- Gas1 significantly reduced the activation of Akt signaling.
- These findings support Gas1's role as a negative modulator of GDNF signaling.
Conclusions:
- Gas1 acts as a negative regulator of the GDNF/Ret signaling pathway in neuronal cells.
- The study provides evidence for Gas1's function in modulating neurotrophic factor signaling, impacting neuronal survival and differentiation pathways.
Related Concept Videos
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...