Tyr1009 and Tyr1021 in the platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor mediate agonist triggered calcium signalling

Calcium signalling was studied in porcine aortic endothelial cells stably transfected with wild type or mutants of the human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta-receptor and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor-1 (FGFR1). Phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) has a consensus binding site at phosphorylated Tyr1021 in the PDGF beta-receptor. The phosphorylated tyrosine at 1009 is a binding site for Syp/PTP1D, an adaptor molecule mediating Grb2/RAS signalling. Also, Tyr1009 has been shown to be a minor binding site for PLC-gamma; however previous data have indicated that it does not have any functional significance in PLC-gamma signalling. The concentration of cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i) was measured by microfluorometry and digital imaging. About 72% of the cells transfected with wild type PDGF beta-receptor responded to a challenge with PDGF-BB. Mutants in which both Tyr1009 and Tyr1021 in the PDGF beta-receptor were exchanged for phenylalanine totally lacked [Ca2+]i responses. However, in those with a single mutation at Tyr1009 or Tyr1021, 36% and 12% of the cells responded, respectively. In cells transfected with FGFR1 or FGFchim, with the kinase insert of FGFR1 replaced by the insert of the PDGF beta-receptor, a [Ca2+]i increases was observed in similar proportions of cells. The amplitudes of the growth factor-induced [Ca2+]i responses was comparable in the different transfectants. Thrombin, activating a G-protein coupled receptor, triggered [Ca2+]i peaks more rapidly, and in a higher proportion of cells compared to the growth factors. The present data indicate that both Tyr1009 and Tyr1021 alone and in cooperation mediate PDGF-BB triggered calcium signalling.