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Updated: May 8, 2026

Spatio-Temporal Manipulation of Small GTPase Activity at Subcellular Level and on Timescale of Seconds in Living Cells
Published on: March 9, 2012
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.
Abstract:
Activation of the Ras/MAPK signaling cascade is essential for growth factor-induced cell proliferation and differentiation. In this report, we describe the purification, cloning, and characterization of a novel protein, designated FRS2, that is tyrosine phosphorylated and binds to Grb2/Sos in response to FGF or NGF stimulation. We find that FRS2 is myristylated and that this modification is essential for membrane localization, tyrosine phosphorylation, Grb2/Sos recruitment, and MAPK activation. FRS2 functions as a lipid-anchored docking protein that targets signaling molecules to the plasma membrane in response to FGF stimulation to link receptor activation with the MAPK and other signaling pathways essential for cell growth and differentiation. Finally, we demonstrate that FRS2 is closely related and probably indentical to SNT, the long-sought target of FGF and NGF receptors.
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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