A lipid-anchored Grb2-binding protein that links FGF-receptor activation to the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway

H Kouhara1, Y R Hadari, T Spivak-Kroizman

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.

Cell
|May 30, 1997
PubMed

Insights

A novel protein, FRS2, links growth factor receptors to MAPK signaling. Myristylation is crucial for its membrane localization and activation of cell growth pathways, identifying it as a key signaling intermediate.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular signaling
  • Molecular biology
  • Signal transduction

Background:

  • The Ras/MAPK pathway is vital for cell proliferation and differentiation.
  • Growth factors like FGF and NGF activate this pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel proteins involved in FGF and NGF signaling.
  • To elucidate the role of FRS2 in linking receptor activation to downstream signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Protein purification and cloning of FRS2.
  • Analysis of protein modification (myristylation) and localization.
  • Assays for tyrosine phosphorylation, Grb2/Sos binding, and MAPK activation.

Main Results:

  • FRS2 is a novel, myristylated protein.
  • Myristylation is essential for FRS2 membrane localization, phosphorylation, and Grb2/Sos recruitment.
  • FRS2 links FGF receptor activation to MAPK pathway activation.

Conclusions:

  • FRS2 acts as a lipid-anchored docking protein essential for FGF-induced MAPK signaling.
  • FRS2 is likely identical to SNT, a known target of FGF and NGF receptors.

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