Low-affinity ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor are long-range signal transmitters.
Eriko Deguchi, Shuhao Lin, Daiki Hirayama, Kimiya Matsuda, Akira Tanave, Kenta Sumiyama, Shinya Tsukiji, Tetsuhisa Otani, Mikio Furuse, Alexander Sorkin, Michiyuki Matsuda, Kenta Terai (2024) Low-affinity ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor are long-range signal transmitters in collective cell migration of epithelial cells., Cell reports, Volume 43, Number 11, pp. 114986
Published in 2024 Nov 14 (Electronic publication in Nov. 14, 2024, midnight )
(Abstract) Canonical epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) activation involves the binding of seven EGFR ligands (EGFRLs); however, their extracellular dynamics remain elusive. Here, employing fluorescent probes and a tool for triggering ectodomain shedding, we show that epiregulin (EREG), a low-affinity EGFRL, rapidly and efficiently activates EGFR in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells and mouse epidermis. During collective cell migration, EGFR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation waves propagate in an a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) sheddase- and EGFRL-dependent manner. Upon induced EGFRL shedding, low-affinity ligands EREG and amphiregulin (AREG) mediate faster and broader ERK waves than high-affinity ligands. Tight/adherens junction integrity is essential for ERK activation propagation, suggesting that tight intercellular spaces prefer the low-affinity EGFRLs for efficient signal transmission. In EREG-deficient mice, ERK wave propagation and cell migration were impaired during skin wound repair. We additionally show that heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) primarily promotes surrounding cell motility. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of low-affinity EGFRLs in rapid intercellular signal transmission.