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Multiple routes of endocytic internalization of PDGFRβ contribute to PDGF-induced STAT3 signaling
Kamil Jastrzębski1, Daria Zdżalik-Bielecka1, Agnieszka Mamińska1
1Laboratory of Cell Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw 02-109, Poland.
Abstract:
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) is a receptor tyrosine kinase which upon activation by PDGF-BB stimulates cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. Ligand binding induces intracellular signaling cascades but also internalization of the receptor, eventually resulting in its lysosomal degradation. However, endocytic trafficking of receptors often modulates their downstream signaling. We previously reported that internalization of PDGFRβ occurs via dynamin-dependent and -independent pathways but their further molecular determinants remained unknown. Here we show that, in human fibroblasts expressing endogenous PDGFRβ and stimulated with 50 ng/ml PDGF-BB, ligand-receptor uptake proceeds via the parallel routes of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE). CME involves the canonical AP2 complex as a clathrin adaptor, while CIE requires RhoA-ROCK, Cdc42 and galectin-3, the latter indicating lectin-mediated internalization via clathrin-independent carriers (CLICs). Although different uptake routes appear to be partly interdependent, they cannot fully substitute for each other. Strikingly, inhibition of any internalization mechanism impaired activation of STAT3 but not of other downstream effectors of PDGFRβ. Our data indicate that multiple routes of internalization of PDGFRβ contribute to a transcriptional and mitogenic response of cells to PDGF.
Insights
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) internalization occurs via multiple pathways, including clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE). These distinct routes are crucial for PDGFRβ signaling and cellular responses to PDGF.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) is a key regulator of cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis.
- Receptor tyrosine kinase internalization modulates downstream signaling, but PDGFRβ endocytic pathways are not fully elucidated.
- Previous work identified dynamin-dependent and -independent PDGFRβ internalization, but molecular details were lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms and pathways governing PDGFRβ endocytosis.
- To determine the contribution of distinct internalization routes to PDGFRβ downstream signaling.
- To understand how different endocytic pathways influence cellular responses to PDGF-BB.
Main Methods:
- Human fibroblasts expressing endogenous PDGFRβ were stimulated with PDGF-BB.
- Endocytosis was studied using clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE) inhibitors.
- Downstream signaling pathways, including STAT3 activation, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- PDGFRβ uptake occurs via parallel CME and CIE pathways in human fibroblasts.
- CME involves the AP2 complex, while CIE requires RhoA-ROCK, Cdc42, and galectin-3, suggesting lectin-mediated internalization via CLICs.
- Inhibition of either CME or CIE impaired STAT3 activation, indicating pathway-specific signaling.
- Distinct internalization routes are partly interdependent but not fully substitutable.
Conclusions:
- Multiple endocytic routes contribute to PDGFRβ internalization.
- Specific internalization pathways differentially regulate PDGFRβ signaling, notably STAT3 activation.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for comprehending cellular responses to PDGF.
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