title: EGF stimulates proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cells: involvement of Ca2+ influx and p44/42 MAPKs.
abstract: We examined the effect of EGF on the proliferation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and their related signal pathways. EGF increased [3H]thymidine and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. EGF stimulated the phosphorylation of EGF receptor (EGFR). Inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase with AG-1478 or herbimycin A, inhibition of PLC with neomycin or U-73122, inhibition of PKC with bisindolylmaleimide I or staurosporine, and inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels with nifedipine or methoxyverapamil prevented EGF-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation. PKC-alpha, -betaI, -gamma, -delta, and -zeta were translocated to the membrane and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was increased in response to EGF. Moreover, inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase, PLC, and PKC completely prevented EGF-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. EGF also increased inositol phosphate levels, which were blocked by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, EGF rapidly increased formation of H2O2, and pretreatment with antioxidant (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) inhibited EGF-induced increase of [Ca2+]i. In addition, we observed that p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation by EGF and inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase, PLC, PKC, or Ca2+ channels blocked EGF-induced phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPKs. Inhibition of p44/42 MAPKs with PD-98059 (MEK inhibitor) attenuated EGF-induced increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation. Finally, inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase, PKC, Ca2+ channels, or p44/42 MAPKs attenuated EGF-stimulated cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, and CDK4, respectively. In conclusion, EGF partially stimulates proliferation of mouse ES cells via PLC/PKC, Ca2+ influx, and p44/42 MAPK signal pathways through EGFR tyrosine kinase phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National Univ., Gwangju 500-757, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Yun Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ho Jae
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005333:Fetus; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D010738:Type C Phospholipases; D002118:Calcium