Grb2 mediates semaphorin-4D-dependent RhoA inactivation

J Cell Sci. 2012 Aug 1;125(Pt 15):3557-67. doi: 10.1242/jcs.101063. Epub 2012 Apr 14.

Abstract

Signaling through the semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) receptor plexin-B1 is modulated by its interaction with tyrosine kinases ErbB-2 and Met. In cells expressing the plexin-B1-ErbB-2 receptor complex, ligand stimulation results in the activation of small GTPase RhoA and stimulation of cellular migration. By contrast, in cells expressing plexin-B1 and Met, ligand stimulation results in an association with the RhoGTPase-activating protein p190 RhoGAP and subsequent RhoA inactivation--a process that involves the tyrosine phosphorylation of plexin-B1 by Met. Inactivation of RhoA is necessary for Sema4D-mediated inhibition of cellular migration. It is, however, unknown how plexin-B1 phosphorylation regulates RhoGAP interaction and activity. Here we show that the activation of plexin-B1 by Sema4D and its subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation by Met creates a docking site for the SH2 domain of growth factor receptor bound-2 (Grb2). Grb2 is thereby recruited into the plexin-B1 receptor complex and, through its SH3 domain, interacts with p190 RhoGAP and mediates RhoA deactivation. Phosphorylation of plexin-B1 by Met and the recruitment of Grb2 have no effect on the R-RasGAP activity of plexin-B1, but are required for Sema4D-induced, RhoA-dependent antimigratory effects of Sema4D on breast cancer cells. These data show Grb2 as a direct link between plexin and p190-RhoGAP-mediated downstream signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / genetics
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Semaphorins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transfection
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD100 antigen
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • GRB2 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • PLXNB1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Semaphorins
  • MET protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein