31 research outputs found

    Evidence for efficient phosphorylation of EGFR and rapid endocytosis of phosphorylated EGFR via the early/late endocytic pathway in a gefitinib-sensitive non-small cell lung cancer cell line

    Get PDF
    Gefitinib (Iressa)–a specific inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase–has been shown to suppress the activation of EGFR signaling required for cell survival and proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. We recently provided novel evidence that gefitinib-sensitive PC9 cells show normal endocytosis of EGFR: internalized EGF-EGFR complexes were transported to late endosomes/lysosomes 15 min after EGF stimulation, and then degraded within the lysosomes. However, gefitinib-resistant QG56 cells showed internalized EGFR accumulation in early endosomes after 60 min of internalization, instead of its trafficking to lysosomes, indicating an aberration in some steps of EGF-EGFR trafficking from the early endosomes to late endosomes/lysosomes. Therefore, we postulate that impairment in some steps of EGF-EGFR trafficking from early endosomes to late endosomes/lysosomes might confer gefitinib-resistance in NSCLC cell lines. To further substantiate the detailed internalization mechanism of gefitinib-sensitive and gefitinib-resistant cells, using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, we examined the endocytic trafficking of phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR) in the absence or presence of gefitinib. In PC9 and QG56 cells without EGF stimulation, a large number of pEGFR-positive small vesicular structures not colocalized with late endosomes/lysosomes were spread throughout the cytoplasm, and some pEGFR staining was distributed in the nucleus. This implies a novel intracellular trafficking pathway for pEGFR from cytoplasmic vesicles to the nucleus. Furthermore, an aggregated vesicular structure of early endosomes was observed in the perinuclear region of QG56 cells; it was revealed to be associated with SNX1, originally identified as a protein that interacts with EGFR. Therefore, we confirmed our previous data that an aberration in some steps of EGF-EGFR trafficking from the early endosomes to late endosomes/lysosomes occurs in QG56 cells. Furthermore, in PC9 cells, efficient phosphorylation of EGFR and rapid internalization of pEGFR was observed at 3 min after EGF stimulation; these internalized pEGFR-positive vesicles were trafficked to late endosomes at 15 min, indicating rapid trafficking of EGF-pEGFR complexes from early to late endosomes in PC9 cells. Gefitinib treatment strongly reduced the phosphorylation level of EGFR, and subsequent endocytosis of EGFR was significantly suppressed in PC9 cells. In contrast, in QG56 cells, EGFR trafficking via the early endocytic pathway was basically impaired; therefore, gefitinib appeared to slightly suppress the internalization of pEGFR. Collectively, our data provide novel evidence that extensive impairment in pEGFR endocytosis via the early endocytic pathway might confer gefitinib-resistance in QG56 cells

    spERt Technology: A novel strategy to improve productivity through enhanced polyribosome assembly on the endoplasmic reticulum in CHO cells

    Get PDF
    In cell line development process, it is frequently observed that increased mRNA levels do not always correlate with protein expression levels in CHO cells. In line with this gap, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in CHO cells is much less proliferated as compared with that in terminally differentiated (i.e., professional) secretory cells, suggesting that there is still room to improve their specific productivity if translational efficiency on the ER can be up-regulated. Here we present a novel engineering approach (spERt Technology) to improve specific production rates by mimicking the ER translational apparatus of professional secretory cells. In spERt Technology, we exploit the unique factors that are required for translationally active polyribosome formation on the ER to directly enhance the translational efficiency (1, 2). A high antibody (Ab) producing clone generated by a novel screen using flow cytometry (3) was used as a model cell line. The factors were introduced into the high producer and a series of the spERt Technology - introduced cell lines were generated Among these cell lines, we selected one of the best clones (spERt-f9) having stable and high productivity. Polyribosome analysis of these cell lines revealed that enhanced assembly of the ER polyribosomes as expected (1). Consistent with the highly developed polyribosomes, the spERt-introduced cell lines produced higher levels of Ab than that of parental cells, and showed prominent increase of specific production rates. Further optimization of feeding process resulted in remarkable increase of productivity in spERt-f9 cells: Ab titers of 7.6 g/L and 9.5 g/L on day 14 and 17, respectively, were achieved in shake flask fed-batch cultures by using chemically defined media. Importantly, high cell viabilities were maintained in spERt-f9 cells throughout the culture periods. In addition, lower glucose consumption and reduced accumulation of ammonia were observed. Product quality in these cells were analyzed and compared with that in the parental cells. In conclusion, spERt Technology enables to improve productivity of high Ab producers, associated with reduced accumulation of waste metabolites and high cell viabilities

    Multiple Signaling Pathways are Activated During Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) Stimulated Breast Cancer Cell Migration

    Full text link
    In order to display the full metastatic phenotype, the cancer cell must acquire the ability to migrate. In breast cancer, we have previously shown that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) enhances cell motility in the highly metastatic MDA-231BO cell line by activating the type I IGF receptor (IGF1R). This motility response requires activation of IRS-2 and integrin ligation. In order to identify the key molecules downstream of IRS-2, we examined several signaling pathways known to be involved in cell motility. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was not activated by IGF-I, but IGF-I caused redistribution of FAK away from focal adhesion plaques. IGF-I treatment of MDA-231BO cells activated RhoA and inhibition of Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibited the IGF-mediated motility response. The mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38, was also activated by IGF-I and inhibition of p38 by SB203580 blocked IGF-I induced cell motility. ROCK inhibition with Y-27632 also inhibited p38 phosphorylation suggesting that p38 lies downstream of ROCK. Both Erk1,2 and phosphatidyl-3 kinase (PI3K) were required for IGF-I stimulated cell motility, but only PI3K appeared to be directly downstream of IGF-I. Thus, IGF-I activation of its receptor coordinates multiple signaling pathways required for cell motility. Defining the key molecules downstream of the type I IGF receptor may provide a basis for optimizing therapies directed at this target.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44233/1/10549_2005_Article_4626.pd
    corecore