scholarly journals Cells use molecular working memory to navigate in changing chemoattractant fields

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhilesh Nandan ◽  
Abhishek Das ◽  
Robert Lott ◽  
Aneta Koseska

In order to migrate over large distances, cells within tissues and organisms rely on sensing local gradient cues. These cues however are multifarious, irregular or conflicting, changing both in time and space. Here we find that single cells utilize a molecular mechanism akin to a working memory, to generate persistent directional migration when signals are disrupted by temporally memorizing their position, while still remaining adaptive to spatial and temporal changes of the signal source. Using dynamical systems theory, we derive that these information processing capabilities are inherent for protein networks whose dynamics is maintained away from steady state through organization at criticality. We demonstrate experimentally using the Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling network, that the memory is maintained in the prolonged activity of the receptor via a slow-escaping remnant, a dynamical ghost of the attractor of the polarized signaling state, that further results in memory in migration. As this state is metastable, it also enables continuous adaptation of the migration direction when the signals vary in space and time. We therefore show that cells implement real-time computations without stable-states to navigate in changing chemoattractant fields by memorizing position of disrupted signals while maintaining sensitivity to novel chemical cues.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 587
Author(s):  
Alexandru Oprita ◽  
Stefania-Carina Baloi ◽  
Georgiana-Adeline Staicu ◽  
Oana Alexandru ◽  
Daniela Elise Tache ◽  
...  

Nowadays, due to recent advances in molecular biology, the pathogenesis of glioblastoma is better understood. For the newly diagnosed, the current standard of care is represented by resection followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide administration, but because median overall survival remains poor, new diagnosis and treatment strategies are needed. Due to the quick progression, even with aggressive multimodal treatment, glioblastoma remains almost incurable. It is known that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification is a characteristic of the classical subtype of glioma. However, targeted therapies against this type of receptor have not yet shown a clear clinical benefit. Many factors contribute to resistance, such as ineffective blood–brain barrier penetration, heterogeneity, mutations, as well as compensatory signaling pathways. A better understanding of the EGFR signaling network, and its interrelations with other pathways, are essential to clarify the mechanisms of resistance and create better therapeutic agents.


Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 1139-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
James V Price ◽  
Edward D Savenye ◽  
David Lum ◽  
Ashton Breitkreutz

The Drosophila epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key component of a complex signaling pathway that participates in multiple developmental processes. We have performed and F1 screen for mutations that cause dominant enhancement of wing vein phenotypes associated with mutations in Egfr. With this screen, we have recovered mutations in Hairless (H), vein, groucho (gro), and three apparently novel loci. All of the E(Egfr)s we have identified show dominant interactions in transheterozygous combinations with each other and with alleles of N or Su(H), suggesting that they are involved in cross-talk between the N and EGFR signaling pathways. Further examination of the phenotypic interactions between Egfr, H, and gro revealed that reductions in Egfr activity enhanced both the bristle loss associated with H mutations, and the bristle hyperplasia and ocellar hypertrophy associated with gro mutations. Double mutant combinations of Egfr and gro hypomorphic alleles led to the formation of ectopic compound eyes in a dosage sensitive manner. Our findings suggest that these E(Egfr)s represent links between the Egfr and Notch signaling pathways, and that Egfr activity can either promote or suppress Notch signaling, depending on its developmental context.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 729
Author(s):  
Clara Reglero ◽  
Belén Ortiz del Castillo ◽  
Verónica Rivas ◽  
Federico Mayor ◽  
Petronila Penela

The timing of centrosome separation and the distance moved apart influence the formation of the bipolar spindle, affecting chromosome stability. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling induces early centrosome separation through downstream G protein-coupled receptor kinase GRK2, which phosphorylates the Hippo pathway component MST2 (Mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 2), in turn allowing NIMA kinase Nek2A activation for centrosomal linker disassembly. However, the mechanisms that counterbalance centrosome disjunction and separation remain poorly understood. We unveil that timely degradation of GRK2 by the E3 ligase Mdm2 limits centrosome separation in the G2. Both knockout expression and catalytic inhibition of Mdm2 result in GRK2 accumulation and enhanced centrosome separation before mitosis onset. Phosphorylation of GRK2 on residue S670 enables a complex pattern of non-K48-linked polyubiquitin chains assembled by Mdm2, which correlate with kinase protein degradation. Remarkably, GRK2-S670A protein fails to phosphorylate MST2 despite overcoming Mdm2-dependent degradation, which results in defective centrosome separation, shorter spindles, and abnormal chromosome congression. Conversely, extra levels of wild-type kinase in the G2 cause increased inter-centrosome distances with longer spindles, also converging in congression issues. Our findings show that the signals enabling activity of the GRK2/MST2/Nek2A axis for separation also switches on Mdm2 degradation of GRK2 to ensure accurate centrosome dynamics and proper mitotic spindle functionality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yu ◽  
Qianwen Zheng ◽  
Zhiran Li ◽  
Yunhao Wu ◽  
Yangbo Fu ◽  
...  

AbstractSpermatogonia transit-amplifying (TA) divisions are crucial for the differentiation of germline stem cell daughters. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that CG6015 was essential for spermatogonia TA-divisions and elongated spermatozoon development in Drosophila melanogaster. Spermatogonia deficient in CG6015 inhibited germline differentiation leading to the accumulation of undifferentiated cell populations. Transcriptome profiling using RNA sequencing indicated that CG6015 was involved in spermatogenesis, spermatid differentiation, and metabolic processes. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed the relationship between CG6015 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. Unexpectedly, we discovered that phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase (dpERK) signals were activated in germline stem cell (GSC)-like cells after reduction of CG6015 in spermatogonia. Moreover, Downstream of raf1 (Dsor1), a key downstream target of EGFR, mimicked the phenotype of CG6015, and germline dpERK signals were activated in spermatogonia of Dsor1 RNAi testes. Together, these findings revealed a potential regulatory mechanism of CG6015 via EGFR signaling during spermatogonia TA-divisions in Drosophila testes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e1009221
Author(s):  
Marc Swidergall ◽  
Norma V. Solis ◽  
Nicolas Millet ◽  
Manning Y. Huang ◽  
Jianfeng Lin ◽  
...  

During oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), Candida albicans invades and damages oral epithelial cells, which respond by producing proinflammatory mediators that recruit phagocytes to foci of infection. The ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) detects β-glucan and plays a central role in stimulating epithelial cells to release proinflammatory mediators during OPC. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) also interacts with C. albicans and is known to be activated by the Als3 adhesin/invasin and the candidalysin pore-forming toxin. Here, we investigated the interactions among EphA2, EGFR, Als3 and candidalysin during OPC. We found that EGFR and EphA2 constitutively associate with each other as part of a heteromeric physical complex and are mutually dependent for C. albicans-induced activation. Als3-mediated endocytosis of a C. albicans hypha leads to the formation of an endocytic vacuole where candidalysin accumulates at high concentration. Thus, Als3 potentiates targeting of candidalysin, and both Als3 and candidalysin are required for C. albicans to cause maximal damage to oral epithelial cells, sustain activation of EphA2 and EGFR, and stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion. In the mouse model of OPC, C. albicans-induced production of CXCL1/KC and CCL20 is dependent on the presence of candidalysin and EGFR, but independent of Als3. The production of IL-1α and IL-17A also requires candidalysin but is independent of Als3 and EGFR. The production of TNFα requires Als1, Als3, and candidalysin. Collectively, these results delineate the complex interplay among host cell receptors EphA2 and EGFR and C. albicans virulence factors Als1, Als3 and candidalysin during the induction of OPC and the resulting oral inflammatory response.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (23) ◽  
pp. 4623-4634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony O. Beas ◽  
Vanessa Taupin ◽  
Carmen Teodorof ◽  
Lien T. Nguyen ◽  
Mikel Garcia-Marcos ◽  
...  

The organization of the endocytic system into biochemically distinct subcompartments allows for spatial and temporal control of the strength and duration of signaling. Recent work has established that Akt cell survival signaling via the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occurs from APPL early endosomes that mature into early EEA1 endosomes. Less is known about receptor signaling from EEA1 endosomes. We show here that EGF-induced, proliferative signaling occurs from EEA1 endosomes and is regulated by the heterotrimeric G protein Gαs through interaction with the signal transducing protein GIV (also known as Girdin). When Gαs or GIV is depleted, activated EGFR and its adaptors accumulate in EEA1 endosomes, and EGFR signaling is prolonged, EGFR down-regulation is delayed, and cell proliferation is greatly enhanced. Our findings define EEA1 endosomes as major sites for proliferative signaling and establish that Gαs and GIV regulate EEA1 but not APPL endosome maturation and determine the duration and strength of proliferative signaling from this compartment.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1548
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Niño ◽  
Nadine Wollscheid ◽  
Giovanni Giangreco ◽  
Elena Maspero ◽  
Simona Polo

Deregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is a key feature in different stages of oncogenesis. One important mechanism whereby cancer cells achieve increased and uncontrolled EGFR signaling is escaping down-modulation of the receptor. Ubiquitylation of the EGFR plays a decisive role in this process, as it regulates receptor internalization, trafficking and degradation. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) may oppose the ubiquitylation process, antagonizing or even promoting receptor degradation. Here, we use qualitative and quantitative assays to measure EGFR internalization and degradation after Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 25 (USP25) depletion. We show that, by acting at the early steps of EGFR internalization, USP25 restrains the degradation of the EGFR by assisting in the association of the E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl with EGFR, thereby modulating the amplitude of ubiquitylation on the receptor. This study establishes USP25 as a negative regulator of the EGFR down-modulation process and suggests that it is a promising target for pharmacological intervention to hamper oncogenic growth signals in tumors that depend on the EGFR.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document