Multiple myeloma phosphotyrosine proteomic profile associated with FGFR3 expression, ligand activation, and drug

Jonathan R St-Germain1, Paul Taylor, Jiefei Tong

  • 1Molecular Structure and Function Program, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Insights

Researchers mapped the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) signaling network in multiple myeloma. This study identified key phosphorylation sites sensitive to FGFR3 inhibition, aiding in potential pharmacodynamic monitoring for cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Proteomics

Background:

  • Signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases, like Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3), involves complex protein networks.
  • FGFR3 is a validated drug target in multiple myeloma (MM) and is implicated in various cancers and skeletal dysplasias.
  • Understanding the FGFR3 network in MM is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the FGFR3 signaling network in multiple myeloma cells.
  • To identify and quantify phosphotyrosine (pY) sites modulated by FGFR3 activation and inhibition.
  • To explore the potential of quantitative phospho-proteomics for pharmacodynamic monitoring.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mass spectrometry for label-free quantification of phosphotyrosine sites in myeloma-derived KMS11 cells.
  • Inhibited cellular pY phosphatases with pervanadate to assess FGFR3 activation.
  • Applied the FGFR3 inhibitor PD173074 to identify drug-sensitive phosphorylation sites.

Main Results:

  • Identified 175 proteins with increased pY upon pervanadate treatment.
  • Discovered 61 drug-sensitive pY sites in 52 proteins, including FGFR3, modulated by PD173074.
  • Confirmed 40 drug-sensitive sites, including two in Syndecan-1/CD138, were also stimulated by FGF1 ligand.

Conclusions:

  • Outlined an FGFR3 signaling network in a multiple myeloma model.
  • Demonstrated that specific pY sites are sensitive to FGFR3 inhibition.
  • Validated label-free quantitative phospho-proteomics as a method for pharmacodynamic monitoring.