Letter abstract
Nature Cell Biology 5, 733 - 740 (2003)
Published online: 6 July 2003 | doi:10.1038/ncb1026
Integrins and EGFR coordinately regulate the pro-apoptotic protein Bim to prevent anoikis
Mauricio J. Reginato1, Kenna R. Mills1, Jessica K. Paulus1, Danielle K. Lynch1, Dennis C. Sgroi2, Jayanta Debnath1, Senthil K. Muthuswamy1,3 & Joan S. Brugge1
Epithelial cells must adhere to the extracellular matrix (ECM) for survival, as detachment from matrix triggers apoptosis or anoikis1. Integrins are major mediators of adhesion between cells and ECM proteins, and transduce signals required for cell survival2. Recent evidence suggests that integrin receptors are coupled to growth factor receptors in the regulation of multiple biological functions2; however, mechanisms involved in coordinate regulation of cell survival are poorly understood and mediators responsible for anoikis have not been well characterized. Here, we identify the pro-apoptotic protein Bim as a critical mediator of anoikis in epithelial cells. Bim is strongly induced after cell detachment and downregulation of Bim expression by RNA interference (RNAi) inhibits anoikis. Detachment-induced expression of Bim requires a lack of 
1-integrin engagement, downregulation of EGF receptor (EGFR) expression and inhibition of Erk signalling. Overexpressed EGFR was uncoupled from integrin regulation, resulting in the maintenance of Erk activation in suspension, and a block in Bim expression and anoikis. Thus, Bim functions as a key sensor of integrin and growth factor signals to the Erk pathway, and loss of such coordinate regulation may contribute to tumour progression.
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
- Present address: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11274, USA.
Correspondence to: Joan S. Brugge1 e-mail: Joan_Brugge@hms.harvard.edu
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