Disruption of PDGF receptor trafficking by mutation of its PI-3 kinase binding sites

Human platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) expressed in human Hep G2 cells internalized and concentrated in a juxtanuclear region near the Golgi network within 10 minutes after the cells were treated with PDGF. A PDGFR mutant (F5) that lacks high-affinity binding sites for the Src homology 2 domain-containing proteins phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase), Ras guanosine triphosphatase activating protein, phospholipase C-gamma, and a phosphotyrosine phosphatase (Syp) remained at the cell periphery. Restoration of the PI-3 kinase binding sites on F5 completely restored the ability of the receptor to concentrate intracellularly. A PDGFR mutant lacking only PI-3 kinase binding sites failed to concentrate intracellularly. Thus, PI-3 kinase binding sites appear both necessary and sufficient for the normal endocytic trafficking of the activated PDGFR.