Complex interactions between the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor and TRIO-dependent signaling partners

Elizabeth K. M. Johnstone*, Rekhati S. Abhayawardana, Heng B. See, Ruth M. Seeber, Shannon L. O'Brien, Walter G. Thomas, Kevin D. G. Pfleger*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by the angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 (AT1) receptor is involved in AT1 receptor-dependent growth effects and cardiovascular pathologies, however the mechanisms underpinning this transactivation are yet to be fully elucidated. Recently, a potential intermediate of this process was identified following the discovery that a kinase called TRIO was involved in AngII/AT1 receptor-mediated transactivation of EGFR. To investigate the mechanisms by which TRIO acts as an intermediate in AngII/AT1 receptor-mediated EGFR transactivation we used bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays to investigate proximity between the AT1 receptor, EGFR, TRIO and other proteins of interest. We found that AngII/AT1 receptor activation caused a Gαq-dependent increase in proximity of TRIO with Gγ2 and the AT1-EGFR heteromer, as well as trafficking of TRIO towards the Kras plasma membrane marker and into early, late and recycling endosomes. In contrast, we found that AngII/AT1 receptor activation caused a Gαq-independent increase in proximity of TRIO with Grb2, GRK2 and PKCζ, as well as trafficking of TRIO up to the plasma membrane from the Golgi. Furthermore, we confirmed the proximity between the AT1 receptor and the EGFR using the Receptor-Heteromer Investigation Technology, which showed AngII-induced recruitment of Grb2, GRK2, PKCζ, Gγ2 and TRIO to the EGFR upon AT1 coexpression. In summary, our results provide further evidence for the existence of the AT1-EGFR heteromer and reveal potential mechanisms by which TRIO contributes to the transactivation process.
Original languageEnglish
Article number114521
Number of pages16
JournalBiochemical Pharmacology
Volume188
Early online date17 Mar 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • AT1 receptor
  • EGFR
  • TRIO
  • GPCR
  • Heteromer
  • Receptor-HIT

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