Molecular interactions of EphA4, growth hormone receptor, Janus kinase 2, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B

PLoS One. 2017 Jul 7;12(7):e0180785. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180785. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

We previously reported that EphA4, a member of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is an important modulator of growth hormone (GH) signaling, leading to augmented synthesis of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) for postnatal body growth. In the present study, we report the molecular interactions of EphA4, GH receptor (GHR), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B (STAT5B). EphA4 binds to GHR at both its extracellular and intracellular domains and phosphorylates GHR when stimulated with a ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of EphA4 binds to the carboxy-terminus of JAK2 in contrast to the known binding of GHR to the amino-terminus. STAT5B binds to the amino-terminal kinase domain of EphA4. Ligand-activated EphA4 and JAK2 phosphorylate each other and STAT5B, but JAK2 does not appear to phosphorylate EphA4-bound STAT5B. Ligand-activated EphA4 induces the nuclear translocation of STAT5B in a JAK2-independent manner. GHR expression is required for the activation of STAT5B signaling, even via the JAK2-independent pathway. Various ephrins that have affinity for EphA4 induce STAT5B phosphorylation. These findings suggest the molecular mechanisms by which ephrin/EphA4 signaling enhances the canonical GH-IGF1 axis.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / genetics
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • Receptor, EphA4 / genetics*
  • Receptor, EphA4 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Somatotropin / genetics*
  • Receptors, Somatotropin / metabolism
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • IGF1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Somatotropin
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • STAT5B protein, human
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Receptor, EphA4
  • Janus Kinase 2