A branched signaling pathway for nerve growth factor is revealed by Src-, Ras-, and Raf-mediated gene inductions.
A myriad of gene induction events underlie nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced differentiation of PC12 cells. To dissect the signal transduction pathways which lead to NGF actions, we have assessed the relative roles of NGF receptor, Src, Ras, and Raf activities in mediating specific gene inductions. We have used the PC12 cell line as well as sublines which inducibly express activated forms of either Src, Ras, or Raf or a dominant inhibitory form of Ras (p21N17 Ras) to study the expression of multiple NGF-inducible mRNAs. The NGF induction of NGFI-A, transin, and VGF mRNAs was mimicked by activated forms of Src, Ras, or Raf and was blocked by p21N17 Ras. The NGF induction of SCG10 mRNA was mimicked only by activated Src and Ras and was blocked by p21N17 Ras, while the induction of Thy-1 mRNA was mimicked only by activated Src and was not blocked by p21N17 Ras. The NGF induction of mRNAs for two sodium channel types was neither mimicked by any activated oncoprotein nor blocked by p21N17 Ras. From these and previous results, we suggest a model in which a linear order of NGF receptor, Src, Ras, and Raf activities is used by NGF to elicit gene inductions. These signaling components define branchpoints in the pathway to specific gene induction events, providing a mechanism for generating a host of diverse NGF actions.
D'Arcangelo
G
G
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794-5230.
Halegoua
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D011905:Genes, ras; D016391:Genes, src; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015688:Oncogene Protein pp60(v-src) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / Q000378:metabolism*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D014162:Transfection
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015688:Oncogene Protein pp60(v-src); D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)