Src in endosomal membranes promotes exosome secretion and tumor progression

Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 1;9(1):3265. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39882-z.

Abstract

c-Src is a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase that has key roles in the signaling transduction that controls cell growth, adhesion, and migration. In the early stage of carcinogenesis, c-Src is activated under the plasma membrane and transduces oncogenic signals. Here we show that c-Src localized to the endosomal membrane has unique functions in c-Src-transformed cells. Our results indicate that activated c-Src in the endosomal membrane promoted the secretion of exosomes, in which c-Src was encapsulated. In addition, the ESCRT-interacting molecule, Alix was identified as a c-Src-interacting protein in exosomes. We revealed that the interaction between the SH3 domain of c-Src and the proline-rich region of Alix activates ESCRT-mediated intra-luminal vesicle (ILV) formation, resulting in the upregulation of exosome secretion in c-Src-transformed cells. We observed also a correlation between malignant phenotypes and Alix-dependent aberrant exosome secretion in Src-upregulated cancer cells. Collectively, our findings provide a unique mechanism for the upregulation of exosomes in cancer cells, as well as new insights into the significance of exosome secretion in cancer progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase / genetics
  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase / metabolism*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / genetics
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / metabolism
  • Exosomes / enzymology*
  • Exosomes / genetics
  • Exosomes / pathology
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Membranes / enzymology*
  • Intracellular Membranes / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • src Homology Domains

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PDCD6IP protein, human
  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase
  • CSK protein, human