Receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 mediates Wnt5a-induced polarized cell migration by activating c-Jun N-terminal kinase via actin-binding protein filamin A

J Biol Chem. 2008 Oct 10;283(41):27973-27981. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M802325200. Epub 2008 Jul 30.

Abstract

The receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 has recently been shown to act as an alternative receptor or coreceptor for Wnt5a and to mediate Wnt5a-induced migration of cultured cells. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying this migratory process. Here we show by wound-healing assays that Ror2 plays critical roles in Wnt5a-induced cell migration by regulating formation of lamellipodia and reorientation of microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). Wnt5a stimulation induces activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase JNK at the wound edge in a Ror2-dependent manner, and inhibiting JNK activity abrogates Wnt5a-induced lamellipodia formation and MTOC reorientation. Additionally, the association of Ror2 with the actin-binding protein filamin A is required for Wnt5a-induced JNK activation and polarized cell migration. We further show that Wnt5a-induced JNK activation and MTOC reorientation can be suppressed by inhibiting PKCzeta. Taken together, our findings indicate that Wnt5a/Ror2 activates JNK, through a process involving filamin A and PKCzeta, to regulate polarized cell migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cell Polarity / physiology*
  • Contractile Proteins / metabolism*
  • Filamins
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubule-Organizing Center / metabolism
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C zeta
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • Wnt-5a Protein
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Contractile Proteins
  • Filamins
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptors
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt-5a Protein
  • Protein Kinase C zeta
  • Wnt5a protein, mouse
  • Ror2 protein, mouse