GPR54 (KISS1R) Transactivates EGFR to Promote Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness

Authors

Mateusz Zajac, The University of Western Ontario
Jeffrey Law, The University of Western Ontario
Dragana Donna Cvetkovic, The University of Western Ontario
Macarena Pampillo, The University of Western Ontario
Lindsay McColl, The University of Western Ontario
Cynthia Pape, The University of Western Ontario
Gianni M. Di Guglielmo, The University of Western Ontario
Lynne M. Postovit, The University of Western Ontario
Andy V. Babwah, The University of Western Ontario
Moshmi Bhattacharya, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-28-2011

Journal

PLoS ONE

Volume

6

Issue

6

First Page

21599

Last Page

21599

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0021599

Abstract

Kisspeptins (Kp), peptide products of the Kisspeptin-1 (KISS1) gene are endogenous ligands for a G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54). Previous findings have shown that KISS1 acts as a metastasis suppressor in numerous cancers in humans. However, recent studies have demonstrated that an increase in KISS1 and GPR54 expression in human breast tumors correlates with higher tumor grade and metastatic potential. At present, whether or not Kp signaling promotes breast cancer cell invasiveness, required for metastasis and the underlying mechanisms, is unknown. We have found that kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10), the most potent Kp, stimulates the invasion of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells using Matrigel-coated Transwell chamber assays and induces the formation of invasive stellate structures in three-dimensional invasion assays. Furthermore, Kp-10 stimulated an increase in matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 activity. We also found that Kp-10 induced the transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Knockdown of the GPCR scaffolding protein, β-arrestin 2, inhibited Kp-10-induced EGFR transactivation as well as Kp-10 induced invasion of breast cancer cells via modulation of MMP-9 secretion and activity. Finally, we found that the two receptors associate with each other under basal conditions, and FRET analysis revealed that GPR54 interacts directly with EGFR. The stability of the receptor complex formation was increased upon treatment of cells by Kp-10. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which Kp signaling via GPR54 stimulates breast cancer cell invasiveness.