Neuropilin-1 signaling through p130Cas tyrosine phosphorylation is essential for growth factor-dependent migration of glioma and endothelial cells

Mol Cell Biol. 2011 Mar;31(6):1174-85. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00903-10. Epub 2011 Jan 18.

Abstract

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and plays an important role in mediating cell motility. However, the NRP1 signaling pathways important for cell motility are poorly understood. Here we report that p130(Cas) tyrosine phosphorylation is stimulated by hepatocyte growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor in U87MG glioma cells and VEGF in endothelial cells and is dependent on NRP1 via its intracellular domain. In endothelial cells, NRP1 silencing reduced, but did not prevent, VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) phosphorylation, while expression of a mutant form of NRP1 lacking the intracellular domain (NRP1ΔC) did not affect receptor phosphorylation in U87MG cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In HUVECs, NRP1 was also required for VEGF-induced phosphorylation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2, which was necessary for p130(Cas) phosphorylation. Importantly, knockdown of NRP1 or p130(Cas) or expression of either NRP1ΔC or a non-tyrosine-phosphorylatable substrate domain mutant protein (p130(Cas15F)) was sufficient to inhibit growth factor-mediated migration of glioma and endothelial cells. These data demonstrate for the first time the importance of the NRP1 intracellular domain in mediating a specific signaling pathway downstream of several receptor tyrosine kinases and identify a critical role for a novel NRP1-p130(Cas) pathway in the regulation of chemotaxis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement*
  • Crk-Associated Substrate Protein / genetics
  • Crk-Associated Substrate Protein / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Silencing
  • Glioma / genetics
  • Glioma / metabolism*
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Neuropilin-1 / genetics
  • Neuropilin-1 / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Tyrosine / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • BCAR1 protein, human
  • Crk-Associated Substrate Protein
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Neuropilin-1
  • Tyrosine
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2