The epidermal growth factor receptor regulates interaction of the human DF3/MUC1 carcinoma antigen with c-Src and beta-catenin

J Biol Chem. 2001 Sep 21;276(38):35239-42. doi: 10.1074/jbc.C100359200. Epub 2001 Aug 1.

Abstract

The DF3/MUC1 mucin-like, transmembrane glycoprotein is aberrantly overexpressed in most human carcinomas. The MUC1 cytoplasmic domain interacts with the c-Src tyrosine kinase and thereby increases binding of MUC1 and beta-catenin. In the present work, coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrate that MUC1 associates constitutively with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in human ZR-75-1 breast carcinoma cells. Immunofluorescence studies show that EGF-R and MUC1 associate at the cell membrane. We also show that the activated EGF-R phosphorylates the MUC1 cytoplasmic tail on tyrosine at a YEKV motif that functions as a binding site for the c-Src SH2 domain. The results demonstrate that EGF-R-mediated phosphorylation of MUC1 induces binding of MUC1 to c-Src in cells. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that EGF-R increases binding of MUC1 and beta-catenin. These findings support a novel role for EGF-R in regulating interactions of MUC1 with c-Src and beta-catenin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mucin-1 / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src) / metabolism*
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Mucin-1
  • Trans-Activators
  • beta Catenin
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src)