GD3 synthase gene expression in PC12 cells results in the continuous activation of TrkA and ERK1/2 and enhanced proliferation

Satoshi Fukumoto, Tatsuro Mutoh, Tomokazu Hasegawa, Hiroshi Miyazaki, Masahiko Okada, George Goto, Keiko Furukawa, Takeshi Urano, Koichi Furukawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) transfected with ganglioside GD3 synthase gene showed a marked change in the ganglioside profile and enhanced proliferation and no response of neurite extension to nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation. In these transfectant cells, a continuous phosphorylation of TrkA and the activation of ERK1/2 without NGF treatment were observed. Proliferation inhibition experiments with kinase inhibitors such as herbimycin A, K-252a, and PD98059 revealed that the enhanced proliferation was actually due to the activation of the Ras/MEK/ERK pathway. A TrkA dimer was detected in the GD3 synthase transfectant cells regardless of NGF treatment by crosslinking and immunoblotting. The increased expression of GD1b and GT1b in these transfectant cells might induce the conformational change of TrkA to form a dimer and to be activated continuously. These results may indicate regulatory roles of gangliosides in cell proliferation under physiological and malignant processes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5832-5838
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume275
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25-02-2000
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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