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Fluoxetine-induced transactivation of the platelet-derived growth factor type β receptor reveals a novel heterologous
Jeff S Kruk1, Maryam S Vasefi1, Nyasha Gondora1
1School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10 Victoria Street South, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1C5, Canada.
Abstract:
Many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including serotonin (5-HT) receptors promote the activity of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) via intracellular signaling pathways in a process termed transactivation. Although transactivation pathways are commonly initiated by a GPCR, a recent report demonstrated that serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were able to block 5-HT-induced transactivation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) type β receptor. We show that a 45 min pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with the SSRI fluoxetine indeed blocked 5-HT-induced transactivation of the PDGFβ receptor. However, upon further examination, we discovered that during the pretreatment period, fluoxetine itself was transiently transactivating the PDGFβ receptor via 5-HT2 receptor activation. After 45min, the increase in PDGFβ receptor phosphorylation induced by fluoxetine had returned to baseline, but a subsequent transactivating stimulus (5-HT) failed to "re-transactivate" the PDGFβ receptor. We further demonstrate that 45min, but not 3h, 5-HT pretreatment blocks dopamine-induced PDGFβ receptor transactivation. This did not involve changes in PDGF receptor function, since ligand (PDGF)-induced PDGFβ receptor activation was not inhibited by 5-HT pretreatment. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of the heterologous desensitization of an RTK transactivation pathway and reveals a previously unknown short-term "blackout" period where no additional transactivation signaling is possible.
Insights
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine can block serotonin-induced receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) transactivation. This study reveals a transient "blackout" period in RTK signaling following initial SSRI exposure.
Area of Science:
- Cellular signaling pathways
- Neuropharmacology
- Receptor tyrosine kinases
Background:
- G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and serotonin (5-HT) receptors can activate receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) through transactivation.
- Serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to block 5-HT-induced transactivation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) type β receptor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of SSRI pretreatment on 5-HT-induced PDGFβ receptor transactivation.
- To elucidate the mechanism behind the observed blockage of transactivation.
Main Methods:
- SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with fluoxetine, followed by stimulation with 5-HT.
- PDGFβ receptor phosphorylation was measured to assess transactivation.
- The effect of 5-HT pretreatment on dopamine-induced PDGFβ receptor transactivation was examined.
Main Results:
- Fluoxetine pretreatment (45 min) initially transactivated the PDGFβ receptor via 5-HT2 receptor activation.
- Following fluoxetine exposure, subsequent 5-HT stimulation failed to re-transactivate the PDGFβ receptor.
- 45-min, but not 3-h, 5-HT pretreatment blocked dopamine-induced PDGFβ receptor transactivation, indicating heterologous desensitization.
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates a novel short-term "blackout" period in RTK transactivation signaling.
- Heterologous desensitization of RTK transactivation pathways is possible and occurs rapidly.
- Findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory mechanism in GPCR-RTK cross-talk.
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