Abstract
We explore the role of differential compartmentalization of Rhomboid (Rho) proteases that process the Drosophila EGF receptor ligands, in modulating the amount of secreted ligand and consequently the level of EGF receptor (EGFR) activation. The mSpitz ligand precursor is retained in the ER, and is trafficked by the chaperone Star to a late compartment of the secretory pathway, where Rho-1 resides. This work demonstrates that two other Rho proteins, Rho-2 and Rho-3, which are expressed in the germ line and in the developing eye, respectively, cleave the Spitz precursor and Star already in the ER, in addition to their activity in the late compartment. This property attenuates EGFR activation, primarily by compromising the amount of chaperone that can productively traffic the ligand precursor to the late compartment, where cleavage and subsequent secretion take place. These observations identify changes in intracellular compartment localization of Rho proteins as a basis for signal attenuation, in tissues where EGFR activation must be highly restricted in space and time.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Compartmentation / physiology*
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Cell Line
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
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Drosophila Proteins / physiology*
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Drosophila melanogaster / embryology
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Drosophila melanogaster / enzymology
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Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
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Endoplasmic Reticulum / enzymology
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Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
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ErbB Receptors / physiology*
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Eye Proteins / metabolism
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Eye Proteins / physiology
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Germ Cells / metabolism
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Hydrolysis
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Intracellular Membranes / enzymology*
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
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Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Protein Kinases / physiology*
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Receptors, Invertebrate Peptide / physiology*
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Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
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Serine Endopeptidases / physiology*
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Signal Transduction / physiology*
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rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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rho GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Eye Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Receptors, Invertebrate Peptide
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S protein, Drosophila
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Stet protein, Drosophila
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spi protein, Drosophila
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Epidermal Growth Factor
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Protein Kinases
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Egfr protein, Drosophila
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ErbB Receptors
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Serine Endopeptidases
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ru protein, Drosophila
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Rho1 protein, Drosophila
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rho GTP-Binding Proteins