Article
- The EMBO Journal (2006) 25, 3234 - 3244
- doi:10.1038/sj.emboj.7601191
Published online: 22 June 2006
Subject Category:
Biosynthesis of tumorigenic HER2 C-terminal fragments by alternative initiation of translation
Judit Anido, Maurizio Scaltriti, Joan Josep Bech Serra, Belén Santiago Josefat, Federico Rojo Todo, José Baselga and Joaquín Arribas
- Medical Oncology Research Program, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
Correspondence to:
Joaquín Arribas, Medical Oncology Research Program, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Psg. Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 8035, Spain. Tel/Fax: +34 93 274 6026; E-mail: jarribas@vhebron.net
Received 12 January 2006; Accepted 18 May 2006
Abstract
The overactivation of the HERs, a family of tyrosine kinase receptors, leads to the development of cancer. Although the canonical view contemplates HER receptors restricted to the secretory and endocytic pathways, full-length HER1, HER2 and HER3 have been detected in the nucleoplasm. Furthermore, limited proteolysis of HER4 generates nuclear C-terminal fragments (CTFs). Using cells expressing a panel of deletion and point mutants, here we show that HER2 CTFs are generated by alternative initiation of translation from methionines located near the transmembrane domain of the full-length molecule. In vitro and in vivo, HER2 CTFs are found in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Expression of HER2 CTFs to levels similar to those found in human tumors induces the growth of breast cancer xenografts in nude mice. Tumors dependent on CTFs are sensitive to inhibitors of the kinase activity but do not respond to therapeutic antibodies against HER2. Thus, the kinase domain seems necessary for the activity of HER2 CTFs and the presence of these HER2 fragments could account for the resistance to treatment with antibodies.
Keywords:
- alternative initiation of translation,
- breast cancer,
- HER2
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