Review Article Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 And

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Review Article Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 And J Med Genet 2000;37:817–827 817 J Med Genet: first published as 10.1136/jmg.37.11.817 on 1 November 2000. Downloaded from Review article Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and RET: from neoplasia to neurogenesis Jordan R Hansford, Lois M Mulligan Abstract diseases for families. Elucidation of genetic Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN mechanisms and their functional consequences 2) is an inherited cancer syndrome char- has also given us clues as to the broader acterised by medullary thyroid carcinoma systems disrupted in these syndromes which, in (MTC), with or without phaeochromocy- turn, have further implications for normal toma and hyperparathyroidism. MEN 2 is developmental or survival processes. The unusual among cancer syndromes as it is inherited cancer syndrome multiple endocrine caused by activation of a cellular onco- neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) and its causative gene, RET. Germline mutations in the gene, RET, are a useful paradigm for both the gene encoding the RET receptor tyrosine impact of genetic characterisation on disease kinase are found in the vast majority of management and also for the much broader MEN 2 patients and somatic RET muta- developmental implications of these genetic tions are found in a subset of sporadic events. MTC. Further, there are strong associa- tions of RET mutation genotype and disease phenotype in MEN 2 which have The RET receptor tyrosine kinase led to predictions of tissue specific re- MEN 2 arises as a result of activating mutations of the RET (REarranged during quirements and sensitivities to RET activ- 1–5 ity. Our ability to identify genetically, with Transfection) proto-oncogene. RET encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed primarily high accuracy, subjects with MEN 2 has 6–8 revolutionised our ability to diagnose, in neural crest and urogenital precursor cells. It is a developmentally important gene, re- predict, and manage this disease. In the http://jmg.bmj.com/ past few years, studies of RET and its nor- quired for kidney morphogenesis, maturation of peripheral nervous system lineages, and for mal ligand and downstream interactions 6910 and the signalling pathways it activates diVerentiation of spermatogonia. Like have clarified our understanding of the other receptor tyrosine kinases, the RET roles played by RET in normal cell protein comprises extracellular, transmem- survival, proliferation, and diVerentia- brane, and cytoplasmic domains (fig 1). The extracellular sequences include regions with tion, as well as in disease. Here, we review homology to the cadherin family of cell on September 24, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. the current knowledge of the normal func- adhesion molecules and a large cysteine rich tions of RET and the eVects of mutations region.11–14 Twenty seven of 28 cysteine resi- of this gene in tumorigenesis and in dues within the cysteine rich domain are normal development. (J Med Genet 2000;37:817–827) conserved between species, suggesting a criti- cal role for these residues in formation of Keywords: multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2; RET; intramolecular disulphide bonds, and thus in Department of receptor tyrosine kinase determining the tertiary structure of RET pro- Pathology, Queen’s teins.11 13 The intracellular tyrosine kinase University, Kingston, domain is similar to that of other receptor tyro- Ontario K7L 3N6, Recognition of cancer as a genetic disease has sine kinases and functions in phosphorylation Canada J R Hansford contributed to the rapid advances of recent of key tyrosine residues involved in interaction L M Mulligan years in our ability to identify, diagnose, and with downstream targets and activation of sig- treat human neoplasia. Nowhere have the nalling pathways. Department of inroads made in these areas been clearer, or Under normal conditions, the RET receptor Paediatrics, Queen’s had more impact, than in the inherited cancer is activated through a multicomponent com- University, 20 Barrie syndromes, where the presence of multiple, plex involving members of two distinct groups Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, often diverse, disease symptoms and tumour of proteins: a soluble ligand of the glial cell line Canada types have made diagnosis and screening highly derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family, J R Hansford problematical. The genetic characterisation of and a cell surface bound coreceptor of the L M Mulligan many of these diseases in the past few years has GDNF family receptors á (GFRá) protein provided us with the tools for recognition, family (fig 2). The GDNF proteins are Correspondence to: 15 Dr Mulligan, screening, and management and has had a members of the TGF-â subfamily and have [email protected] huge impact on the perceived burden of these all been shown to act as potent neuronal www.jmedgenet.com 818 Hansford, Mulligan J Med Genet: first published as 10.1136/jmg.37.11.817 on 1 November 2000. Downloaded from 123 456789101112131415161718192021 5' 3' RET9 RET43 RET51 Cadherin-like domain Tyrosine kinase domain Cysteine rich domain domain Extracellular domain Transmembrane Intracellular domain Duplication MEN 2A FMTC MEN 2B Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structures of the RET gene and protein. Protein domains are indicated. Positions of MEN 2 mutations are shown relative to the 21 RET coding exons and to their corresponding position in the RET protein. Only mutations found in multiple independent families and/or for which functional significance has been confirmed are shown. survival factors.16 Four members of this family nent. MEN 2 may be classified into three sub- have been identified to date, including GDNF, types based on their occurrence. MTC, phaeo- neurturin (NTN), persephin (PSP), and ar- chromocytoma (PC), and hyperparathyroidism temin (ART).16 (HPT) characterise MEN 2A, the most Although all four GDNF family members common of these subtypes. PC, a tumour of act as the ligands for RET, they do not bind the adrenal chromaYn cells, occurs in approxi- RET directly but first interact with a cell mately 50% of MEN 2A patients, while only surface bound coreceptor of the GFRá family 15-30% of cases develop HPT or parathyroid (fig 2). These coreceptors do not have adenomas.20–22 PC is also present in approxi- http://jmg.bmj.com/ intracellular domains but are anchored to the mately 50% of those with the MEN 2B cell membrane via a glycosyl- subtype. Parathyroid involvement is rare in phosphatidylinositol (GPI) linkage.17 18 There these cases, and characteristic developmental are four GFRá family members identified to abnormalities including marfanoid habitus, date (GFRá-1-4).16 GDNF family members thickened corneal nerves, and ganglioneuro- form high aYnity interactions with a specific matosis of the buccal membranes and the 19 23 24 member of the GFRá family. GFRá-1 prima- gastrointestinal tract are prevalent. MEN on September 24, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. rily binds GDNF, GFRá-2 binds NTN, 2B is considered to be the most aggressive of GFRá-3 binds ART, and GFRá-4 binds PSP the MEN 2 subtypes, with a median age of (fig 2).16 All of the diVerent GDNF/GFRá onset 10 years earlier than seen in MEN 2A.19 24 complexes bind to, and activate, RET. The The third subtype of MEN 2, familial MTC GDNF and GFRá family members have (FMTC), is characterised by the presence of distinct and overlapping expression patterns,16 MTC in multiple family members (four or suggesting that activation of RET by formation more) as its only disease phenotype.25 Families of ligand receptor complexes is a tightly with a smaller number of MTC cases but with- regulated process. It is thus not surprising that out other phenotypes are more diYcult to clas- we see significant disease phenotypes associ- sify as they may represent small FMTC ated with aberrant RET activation. families or MEN 2A families in which PC or HPT have not yet manifested. FMTC is gener- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 ally considered the least aggressive of the three (MEN 2) MEN 2 subtypes with a later onset than MEN MEN 2 is an inherited cancer syndrome char- 2A or 2B.25 acterised by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a tumour of the neural crest derived Genetics of MEN 2 parafollicular C cells responsible for the MEN 2 is inherited in an autosomal dominant production of calcitonin.19 While MTC, or its fashion with variable, age dependent pen- precursor lesion C cell hyperplasia, are the etrance.26 Unlike other cancer syndromes, most common disease phenotypes in MEN 2 which are associated with inactivation of patients (clinically significant disease occurring tumour suppressor genes, each of the MEN 2 in 70% of cases), other lesions are also promi- subtypes arises as a result of activating www.jmedgenet.com MEN 2 and RET 819 J Med Genet: first published as 10.1136/jmg.37.11.817 on 1 November 2000. Downloaded from NTN A GDNF PSP ART RET α GFR -2 GFRα-1 GFRα-4 GFRα-3 B http://jmg.bmj.com/ P P P P Figure 2 (A) Schematic diagram showing the members of the RET multimeric signalling complexes and the primary interactions of the diVerent GDNF family ligands and GFRá family members. (B) Predicted model of RET activation by on September 24, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. its ligand and coreceptor molecules.18 Soluble ligands bind cell surface bound GFRá family members which, in turn, present the ligands to RET,mediating its dimerisation and autophosphorylation. mutations of the RET proto-oncogene. Mis- each of the above mutations, a cysteine residue sense mutations aVecting cysteine residues in normally involved in the intramolecular disul- the RET extracellular domain are found in phide bonds that determine the tertiary struc- patients with MEN 2A (fig 1, table 1). Single ture of RET is unpaired and can form base pair substitutions in one of five codons, intermolecular bonds with other RET 609, 611, 618, 620 (exon 10) or 634 (exon 11), molecules.31–33 The outcome is dimerisation are found in >98% of MEN 2A families.32728 and constitutive activation of the RET tyrosine (fig 1, tables 1 and 2).
Recommended publications
  • The Erbb Receptor Tyrosine Family As Signal Integrators
    Endocrine-Related Cancer (2001) 8 151–159 The ErbB receptor tyrosine family as signal integrators N E Hynes, K Horsch, M A Olayioye and A Badache Friedrich Miescher Institute, PO Box 2543, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland (Requests for offprints should be addressed to N E Hynes, Friedrich Miescher Institute, R-1066.206, Maulbeerstrasse 66, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland. Email: [email protected]) (M A Olayioye is now at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia) Abstract ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their ligands have important roles in normal development and in human cancer. Among the ErbB receptors only ErbB2 has no direct ligand; however, ErbB2 acts as a co-receptor for the other family members, promoting high affinity ligand binding and enhancement of ligand-induced biological responses. These characteristics demonstrate the central role of ErbB2 in the receptor family, which likely explains why it is involved in the development of many human malignancies, including breast cancer. ErbB RTKs also function as signal integrators, cross-regulating different classes of membrane receptors including receptors of the cytokine family. Cross-regulation of ErbB RTKs and cytokines receptors represents another mechanism for controlling and enhancing tumor cell proliferation. Endocrine-Related Cancer (2001) 8 151–159 Introduction The EGF-related peptide growth factors The epidermal growth factor (EGF) or ErbB family of type ErbB receptors are activated by ligands, known as the I receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has four members:EGF EGF-related peptide growth factors (reviewed in Peles & receptor, also termed ErbB1/HER1, ErbB2/Neu/HER2, Yarden 1993, Riese & Stern 1998).
    [Show full text]
  • Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms Regulating the Activation of the Erbb Family Receptors at Atomic Resolution Through Molecular Modeling and Simulations
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations Spring 2011 Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms Regulating the Activation of the ErbB Family Receptors at Atomic Resolution through Molecular Modeling and Simulations Andrew Shih University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations Part of the Biophysics Commons, Other Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, and the Structural Biology Commons Recommended Citation Shih, Andrew, "Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms Regulating the Activation of the ErbB Family Receptors at Atomic Resolution through Molecular Modeling and Simulations" (2011). Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations. 302. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/302 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/302 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms Regulating the Activation of the ErbB Family Receptors at Atomic Resolution through Molecular Modeling and Simulations Abstract The EGFR/ErbB/HER family of kinases contains four homologous receptor tyrosine kinases that are important regulatory elements in key signaling pathways. To elucidate the atomistic mechanisms of dimerization-dependent activation in the ErbB family, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations of the intracellular kinase domains of the four members of the ErbB family (those with known kinase activity), namely EGFR, ErbB2 (HER2)
    [Show full text]
  • Targeting the Function of the HER2 Oncogene in Human Cancer Therapeutics
    Oncogene (2007) 26, 6577–6592 & 2007 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 0950-9232/07 $30.00 www.nature.com/onc REVIEW Targeting the function of the HER2 oncogene in human cancer therapeutics MM Moasser Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA The year 2007 marks exactly two decades since human HER3 (erbB3) and HER4 (erbB4). The importance of epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) was func- HER2 in cancer was realized in the early 1980s when a tionally implicated in the pathogenesis of human breast mutationally activated form of its rodent homolog neu cancer (Slamon et al., 1987). This finding established the was identified in a search for oncogenes in a carcinogen- HER2 oncogene hypothesis for the development of some induced rat tumorigenesis model(Shih et al., 1981). Its human cancers. An abundance of experimental evidence human homologue, HER2 was simultaneously cloned compiled over the past two decades now solidly supports and found to be amplified in a breast cancer cell line the HER2 oncogene hypothesis. A direct consequence (King et al., 1985). The relevance of HER2 to human of this hypothesis was the promise that inhibitors of cancer was established when it was discovered that oncogenic HER2 would be highly effective treatments for approximately 25–30% of breast cancers have amplifi- HER2-driven cancers. This treatment hypothesis has led cation and overexpression of HER2 and these cancers to the development and widespread use of anti-HER2 have worse biologic behavior and prognosis (Slamon antibodies (trastuzumab) in clinical management resulting et al., 1989).
    [Show full text]
  • Crosstalk Between EGFR and Trkb Enhances Ovarian Cancer Cell Migration and Proliferation
    1003-1011 9/9/06 14:04 Page 1003 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 29: 1003-1011, 2006 Crosstalk between EGFR and TrkB enhances ovarian cancer cell migration and proliferation LIHUA QIU1,2, CHANGLIN ZHOU1, YUN SUN1,2, WEN DI1, ERICA SCHEFFLER2, SARAH HEALEY2, NICOLA KOUTTAB3, WENMING CHU4 and YINSHENG WAN2 1Department of OB/GYN, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200001, P.R. China; 2Department of Biology, Providence College, Providence, RI 02918; 3Department of Pathology, Roger Williams Medical Center, Boston University, Providence, RI 02908; 4Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA Received March 16, 2006; Accepted May 17, 2006 Abstract. Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of fatality combination of inhibitors of both receptors with cell survival among all gynecologic cancers, although promising therapies pathway inhibitors would provide a better outcome in the are in the making. It has been speculated that metastasis is clinical treatment of ovarian cancer. critical for ovarian cancer, and yet the molecular mechanisms of metastasis in ovarian cancer are poorly understood. Growth Introduction factors have been proven to play important roles in cell migration associated with metastasis, and inhibition of growth Ovarian cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death factor receptors and their distinct cell signaling pathways has among all gynecologic cancers, and therapies over the last 30 been intensively studied, and yet the uncovered interaction or
    [Show full text]
  • Extracellular Juxtamembrane Motif Critical for Trkb Preformed Dimer and Activation
    cells Article Extracellular Juxtamembrane Motif Critical for TrkB Preformed Dimer and Activation Jianying Shen 1,2, Dang Sun 1, Jingyu Shao 1, Yanbo Chen 1, Keliang Pang 1, Wei Guo 1,3 and Bai Lu 1,3,* 1 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China 2 Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100084, China 3 R & D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518057, China * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-10-6278-5101 Received: 29 May 2019; Accepted: 15 August 2019; Published: 19 August 2019 Abstract: Receptor tyrosine kinases are believed to be activated through ligand-induced dimerization. We now demonstrate that in cultured neurons, a substantial amount of endogenous TrkB, the receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), exists as an inactive preformed dimer, and the application of BDNF activates the pre-existing dimer. Deletion of the extracellular juxtamembrane motif (EJM) of TrkB increased the amount of preformed dimer, suggesting an inhibitory role of EJM on dimer formation. Further, binding of an agonistic antibody (MM12) specific to human TrkB-EJM activated the full-length TrkB and unexpectedly also truncated TrkB lacking ECD (TrkBdelECD365), suggesting that TrkB is activated by attenuating the inhibitory effect of EJM through MM12 binding-induced conformational changes. Finally, in cells co-expressing rat and human TrkB, MM12 could only activate TrkB human-human dimer but not TrkB human-rat TrkB dimer, indicating that MM12 binding to two TrkB monomers is required for activation.
    [Show full text]
  • Chondroitin Sulfate Synthase 1 Enhances Proliferation Of
    Liao et al. Oncogenesis (2020) 9:9 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41389-020-0197-0 Oncogenesis ARTICLE Open Access Chondroitin sulfate synthase 1 enhances proliferation of glioblastoma by modulating PDGFRA stability Wen-Chieh Liao1,2,Chih-KaiLiao1,2,To-JungTseng1,2,Ying-JuiHo3, Ying-Ru Chen1,Kuan-HungLin1, Te-Jen Lai4,5, Chyn-Tair Lan1,2,Kuo-ChenWei6,7 and Chiung-Hui Liu1,2 Abstract Chondroitin sulfate synthases, a family of enzyme involved in chondroitin sulfate (CS) polymerization, are dysregulated in various human malignancies, but their roles in glioma remain unclear. We performed database analysis and immunohistochemistry on human glioma tissue, to demonstrate that the expression of CHSY1 was frequently upregulated in glioma, and that it was associated with adverse clinicopathologic features, including high tumor grade and poor survival. Using a chondroitin sulfate-specific antibody, we showed that the expression of CHSY1 was significantly associated with CS formation in glioma tissue and cells. In addition, overexpression of CHSY1 in glioma cells enhanced cell viability and orthotopic tumor growth, whereas CHSY1 silencing suppressed malignant growth. Mechanistic investigations revealed that CHSY1 selectively regulates PDGFRA activation and PDGF-induced signaling in glioma cells by stabilizing PDGFRA protein levels. Inhibiting PDGFR activity with crenolanib decreased CHSY1- induced malignant characteristics of GL261 cells and prolonged survival in an orthotopic mouse model of glioma, which underlines the critical role of PDGFRA in mediating the effects of CHSY1. Taken together, these results provide fi 1234567890():,; 1234567890():,; 1234567890():,; 1234567890():,; information on CHSY1 expression and its role in glioma progression, and highlight novel insights into the signi cance of CHSY1 in PDGFRA signaling.
    [Show full text]
  • Altered Erbb Receptor Signaling and Gene Expression in Cisplatin-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
    Research Article Altered ErbB Receptor Signaling and Gene Expression in Cisplatin-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Kenneth Macleod, Peter Mullen, Jane Sewell, Genevieve Rabiasz, Sandra Lawrie, Eric Miller, John F. Smyth and Simon P. Langdon Cancer Research UK Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Abstract The erbB receptor family consists of the EGFR (erbB-1 and The majority of ovarian cancer patients are treated with HER-1), erbB-2 (HER-2), erbB-3 (HER-3), and erbB-4 (HER-4; refs. platinum-based chemotherapy, but the emergence of resistance 6, 7). Ligands of the EGF family, including transforming growth factor-a (TGFa), activate the EGFR, whereas members of the to such chemotherapy severely limits its overall effectiveness. We have shown that development of resistance to this neuregulin (NRG)/heregulin family activate erbB-3 and erbB-4 (6). treatment can modify cell signaling responses in a model ErbB-2 is activated via interaction with other ligand-stimulated system wherein cisplatin treatment has altered cell respon- family members. Ligand binding to EGFR promotes either siveness to ligands of the erbB receptor family. A cisplatin- dimerization with another EGFR (homodimerization) or binding resistant ovarian carcinoma cell line PE01CDDP was derived to another erbB receptor family member (heterodimerization) in from the parent PE01 line by exposure to increasing concen- which case, erbB2 is the preferred option (7). The erbB receptor trations of cisplatin, eventually obtaining a 20-fold level of family are widely reported to have key roles in regulating a network resistance. Whereas PE01 cells were growth stimulated by the of signaling pathways, including the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated erbB receptor-activating ligands, such as transforming growth protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase factor-A (TGFA), NRG1A, and NRG1B, the PE01CDDP line was (ERK) pathway (8), the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt g growth inhibited by TGFA and NRG1B but unaffected by pathway (9), and the PLC cascades (10).
    [Show full text]
  • The Oncogene HER2: Its Signaling and Transforming Functions and Its Role in Human Cancer Pathogenesis
    Oncogene (2007) 26, 6469–6487 & 2007 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 0950-9232/07 $30.00 www.nature.com/onc REVIEW The oncogene HER2: its signaling and transforming functions and its role in human cancer pathogenesis MM Moasser Department of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA The year 2007 marks exactly two decades since Human homologous to the v-erbB (avian erythroblastosis virus) Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) was viral oncogene and the cellular epidermal growth factor functionally implicated in the pathogenesis of human receptor (EGFR) gene (Schechter et al., 1984; Schechter breast cancer. This finding established the HER2 et al., 1985). In independent studies, an EGFR-related oncogene hypothesis for the development of some human gene was found to be amplified in a human breast cancer cancers. The subsequent two decades have brought about cell line and named HER2 (King et al., 1985). The an explosion of information about the biology of HER2 HER2 protein product was related to and had tyrosine and the HER family. An abundance of experimental kinase activity similar to EGFR (Akiyama et al., 1986). evidence nowsolidly supports the HER2 oncogene Subsequent cloning of two other related human genes hypothesis and etiologically links amplification of the and the post-genome characterization of the human HER2 gene locus with human cancer pathogenesis. The kinome completed the description of this family of molecular mechanisms underlying HER2 tumorigenesis four members (Kraus et al., 1989; Plowman et al., appear to be complex and a unified mechanistic model of 1993; Manning et al., 2002).
    [Show full text]
  • Tie2 and Eph Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activation and Signaling
    Downloaded from http://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/ on September 26, 2021 - Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press Tie2 and Eph Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activation and Signaling William A. Barton1, Annamarie C. Dalton1, Tom C.M. Seegar1, Juha P. Himanen2, and Dimitar B. Nikolov2 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298 2Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065 Correspondence: [email protected] The Eph and Tie cell surface receptors mediate a variety of signaling events during develop- ment and in the adult organism. As other receptor tyrosine kinases, they are activated on binding of extracellular ligands and their catalytic activity is tightly regulated on multiple levels. The Eph and Tie receptors display some unique characteristics, including the require- ment of ligand-induced receptor clustering for efficient signaling. Interestingly, both Ephs and Ties can mediate different, even opposite, biological effects depending on the specific ligand eliciting the response and on the cellular context. Here we discuss the structural features of these receptors, their interactions with various ligands, as well as functional implications for downstream signaling initiation. The Eph/ephrin structures are already well reviewed and we only provide a brief overview on the initial binding events. We go into more detail discussing the Tie-angiopoietin structures and recognition. ANGIOPOIETINS AND TIE2 In contrast tovasculogenesis, angiogenesis is asculogenesis and angiogenesis are distinct continually required in the adult for wound re- Vcellular processes essential to the creation of pairand remodeling of reproductive tissues dur- the adult vasculature. In early embryonic devel- ing female menstruation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Erbb/HER Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases and Cancerq
    BBRC Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 319 (2004) 1–11 www.elsevier.com/locate/ybbrc Breakthroughs and Views The ErbB/HER receptor protein-tyrosine kinases and cancerq Robert Roskoski Jr.* Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1100 Florida Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA Abstract The ErbB/HER protein-tyrosine kinases, which include the epidermal growth factor receptor, consist of a growth-factor-binding ectodomain, a single transmembrane segment, an intracellular protein-tyrosine kinase catalytic domain, and a tyrosine-containing cytoplasmic tail. The genes for the four members of this family, ErbB1–ErbB4, are found on different human chromosomes. Null mutations of any of the ErbB family members result in embryonic lethality. ErbB1 and ErbB2 are overexpressed in a wide variety of tumors including breast, colorectal, ovarian, and non-small cell lung cancers. The structures of the ectodomains of the ErbB re- ceptors in their active and inactive conformation have shed light on the mechanism of receptor activation. The extracellular component of the ErbB proteins consists of domains I–IV. The activating growth factor, which binds to domains I and III, selects and stabilizes a conformation that allows a dimerization arm to extend from domain II to interact with an ErbB dimer partner. As a result of dimerization, protein kinase activation, trans-autophosphorylation, and initiation of signaling occur. The conversion of the inactive to active receptor involves a major rotation of the ectodomain. The ErbB receptors are targets for anticancer drugs. Two strategies for blocking the action of these proteins include antibodies directed against the ectodomain and drugs that inhibit protein- tyrosine kinase activity.
    [Show full text]
  • The Different RET-Activating Capability of Mutations of Cysteine 620 Or Cysteine 634 Correlates with the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 Diseasephenotype1
    ICANCER RESEARCH 57, 391-395, Februaiy 1, 1997J Advances in Brief The Different RET-activating Capability of Mutations of Cysteine 620 or Cysteine 634 Correlates with the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 DiseasePhenotype1 Francesca Carlomagno, Giuliana Salvatore, Anna Maria Cirafici, Gabriella De Vita, Rosa Marina Melillo, Vittorio de Franciscis, Marc Billaud, Aifredo Fusco, and Massimo Santoro2 Centro di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, do Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare. Facoltâ di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, via S. Pansini 5. 80131 Naples, Italy (F. C.. G. S.. A. M. C.. G. D. V.. R. M. M., V. d. F.. M. S.): Laboratoire de Genétique,CentreNational de Ia Recherche Scientifique UMR564I, Domaine Rockefeller, UniversitéClaudeBernard Lyon I, 8 avenue Rockefeller. 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France fM. B.J; and Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica. Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Catanzaro, Università di Reggio Calabria, via T. Campanella 5. 88100 Casanzaro, Italy (A. Fl Abstract (MEN2A), MEN2B, and FMTC syndromes. Although there is a certain degree of overlap, each disease has a distinct phenotype. Distinct point mutations of RET, a tyrosine-kinase receptor encoding MEN2B is characterized by MTCs, pheochromocytomas, skeletal gene, are responsible for the inheritance of multiple endocrine neoplasia abnormalities, and ganglioneuromas of the intestinal tract. MEN2A is type 2 syndromes (MEN2A and MEN2B) and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). In particular, MEN2A is a more complex and ag characterized by MTCs, pheochromocytomas, and parathyroid alter gressive disease than FMTC, being characterized by pheochromocytomas ations. Finally, FMTC is a closely related but less severe disorder that and parathyroid alterations, in addition to medullary thyroid carcinomas.
    [Show full text]
  • HER2/Neu: an Increasingly Important Therapeutic Target
    Clinical Trial Outcomes NELSON HER2/neu: an increasingly important therapeutic target. Part 1 4 Clinical Trial Outcomes HER2/neu: an increasingly important therapeutic target. Part 1: basic biology & therapeutic armamentarium Clin. Invest. This is the first of a comprehensive three-part review of the foundation for and Edward L Nelson therapeutic targeting of HER2/neu. No biological molecule in oncology has been more University of California, Irvine, extensively or more successfully targeted than HER2/neu. This review will summarize School of Medicine; Division of Hematology/Oncology; Department the pertinent biology of HER2/neu and the EGF receptor family to which it belongs, of Medicine; Department of Molecular with attention to the biological foundation for the design and clinical development Biology & Biochemistry; Sprague Hall, of the entire range of HER2/neu-targeted therapies, including efforts to mitigate Irvine, CA 92697, USA resistance mechanisms. In conjunction with the subsequent two parts (HER2/neu tissue [email protected] expression and current HER2/neu-targeted therapeutics), this comprehensive survey will identify opportunities and promising areas for future evaluation of HER2/neu- targeted therapies, highlighting the importance of HER2/neu as an increasingly important therapeutic target. Keywords: c-erbB2 • EGF receptor • EGFR • EGFR ligand • expression modulation • HER2/neu • monoclonal antibody • signaling network • targeted therapeutic • tyrosine kinase inhibitor • vaccine The history of the molecule known as c-erbB2 = neu, c-erbB3 = EGFR-3, and HER2/neu dates back to the earliest stud- eventually, c-erbB4 = EGFR-4) were estab- 10.4155/CLI.14.57 ies of virus-associated oncogenes. In 1979, lished [13] . The fact that the neu molecule studies of avian erythroblastosis virus iden- and coding sequence was originally identi- tified two putative viral oncogenes, v-erbA fied in the rat species and only recently has and v-erbB [1–3] .
    [Show full text]