A novel role of Sprouty 2 in regulating cellular apoptosis

J Biol Chem. 2008 Feb 8;283(6):3181-3190. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M706567200. Epub 2007 Dec 10.

Abstract

Sprouty (SPRY) proteins modulate receptor-tyrosine kinase signaling and, thereby, regulate cell migration and proliferation. Here, we have examined the role of endogenous human SPRY2 (hSPRY2) in the regulation of cellular apoptosis. Small inhibitory RNA-mediated silencing of hSPRY2 abolished the anti-apoptotic action of serum in adrenal cortex adenocarcinoma (SW13) cells. Silencing of hSPRY2 decreased serum- or epidermal growth factor (EGF)-elicited activation of AKT and ERK1/2 and reduced the levels of EGF receptor. Silencing of hSPRY2 also inhibited serum-induced activation of p90RSK and decreased phosphorylation of pro-apoptotic protein BAD (BCL2-antagonist of cell death) by p90RSK. Inhibiting both the ERK1/2 and AKT pathways abolished the ability of serum to protect against apoptosis, mimicking the effects of silencing hSPRY2. Serum transactivated the EGF receptor (EGFR), and inhibition of the EGFR by a neutralizing antibody attenuated the anti-apoptotic actions of serum. Consistent with the role of EGFR and perhaps other growth factor receptors in the anti-apoptotic actions of serum, the tyrosine kinase binding domain of c-Cbl (Cbl-TKB) protected against down-regulation of the growth factor receptors such as EGFR and preserved the anti-apoptotic actions of serum when hSpry2 was silenced. Additionally, silencing of Spry2 in c-Cbl null cells did not alter the ability of serum to promote cell survival. Moreover, reintroduction of wild type hSPRY2, but not its mutants that do not bind c-Cbl or CIN85 into SW13 cells after endogenous hSPRY2 had been silenced, restored the anti-apoptotic actions of serum. Overall, we conclude that endogenous hSPRY2-mediated regulation of apoptosis requires c-Cbl and is manifested by the ability of hSPRY2 to sequester c-Cbl and thereby augment signaling via growth factor receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adrenal Cortex / pathology*
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl / metabolism*
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Growth Factor
  • SPRY2 protein, human
  • RNA
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl
  • ErbB Receptors
  • CBL protein, human