Abstract
We previously reported that clusterin enhances astrocyte proliferation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. It, however, remains largely unknown how clusterin promotes cell growth. Here, we investigate the signaling pathway and related molecules underlying astrocyte proliferation by clusterin. Exogenous clusterin stimulates Ras-dependent Raf-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/ERK activation. Clusterin-induced astrocyte proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were abrogated by either AG1478 (an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR) or EGFR small interfering RNA. Furthermore, clusterin treatment provoked tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR (pY1173), which was also blocked by AG1478. These results suggest that clusterin requires EGFR activation to deliver its mitogenic signal through the Ras/Raf-1/MEK/ERK signaling cascade in astrocytes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 435-439 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Neuroreport |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 Mar 4 |
Keywords
- Astrocytes
- Clusterin
- Epidermal growth factor receptor
- Extracellular signal-regulated kinase
- Tyrosine phosphorylation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)