Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol.354, No.2, 505-510, 2007
Stimulated ErbB4 internalization is necessary for neuregulin signaling in neurons
Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) plays an important role in neural development, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity by activating ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases. Although ligand-induced endocytosis has been shown to be important for many receptor tyrosine kinases, whether NRG1 signaling depends on ErbB endocytosis remains controversial. Here, we provide evidence that ErbB4, a prominent ErbB protein in the brain.. becomes internalized in NRG1-stimulated neurons. The induced ErbB4 endocytosis requires its kinase activity. Remarkably, inhibition of ErbB endocytosis attenuates NRG1-induced activation of Erk and Akt in neurons. These observations indicate a role of ErbB endocytosis in NRG1 signaling in neurons. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords:ErbB4;tyrosine kinase;neuregulin;internalization;endocytosis;biotinylation;neurons;schizophrenia