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Src/caveolin-1-regulated EGFR activation antagonizes TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells
Ling Xu1, Xiujuan Qu1, Heming Li1
1Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Heping, Shenyang 110001, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Gastric cancer cells are insensitive to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and we recently showed that lipid raft-regulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation antagonized TRAIL-induced apoptosis. However, it is not clear whether caveolin-1, an essential structural constituent of lipid rafts, regulates lipid raft-mediated EGFR activation. We report here that TRAIL induced the translocation of EGFR into lipid rafts and its activation in gastric cancer SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells. Simultaneously, caveolin-1 was also activated. Knockdown of caveolin-1 partially prevented EGFR activation and increased TRAIL sensitivity. Moreover, TRAIL promoted the translocation of Src into lipid rafts and its activation, as well as the interaction of Src with both EGFR and caveolin-1. A Src inhibitor prevented these interactions and the activation of caveolin-1 and EGFR, and thus enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that Src activates EGFR through the interaction of both Src-EGFR and Src-caveolin-1, and then antagonizes TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.
Insights
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resistance in gastric cancer involves epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation. Caveolin-1 and Src kinase mediate this EGFR activation, hindering TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Gastric cancer cells exhibit resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis.
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, regulated by lipid rafts, has been identified as an antagonist to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of caveolin-1 in regulating lipid raft-mediated EGFR activation in gastric cancer.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which EGFR activation antagonizes TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901 and MGC-803).
- Performed knockdown of caveolin-1.
- Employed Src kinase inhibitors.
- Analyzed protein translocation, activation, and interactions within lipid rafts.
Main Results:
- TRAIL induced EGFR and caveolin-1 translocation and activation within lipid rafts in gastric cancer cells.
- Caveolin-1 knockdown partially inhibited EGFR activation and sensitized cells to TRAIL.
- TRAIL promoted Src translocation and activation, leading to interactions with EGFR and caveolin-1.
- Src inhibition blocked these interactions and EGFR/caveolin-1 activation, enhancing TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Src kinase activates EGFR via interactions with EGFR and caveolin-1 within lipid rafts.
- This Src-mediated EGFR activation antagonizes TRAIL-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.
- Targeting this pathway may represent a therapeutic strategy for overcoming TRAIL resistance in gastric cancer.
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