Endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of ErbBs

Exp Cell Res. 2008 Oct 15;314(17):3093-106. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2008.08.013. Epub 2008 Aug 28.

Abstract

This review article describes the pathways and mechanisms of endocytosis and post-endocytic sorting of the EGF receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) and other members of the ErbB family. Growth factor binding to EGFR accelerates its internalization through clathrin-coated pits which is followed by the efficient lysosomal targeting of internalized receptors and results in receptor down-regulation. The role of EGFR interaction with the Grb2 adaptor protein and Cbl ubiquitin ligase, and receptor ubiquitination in the clathrin-dependent internalization and sorting of EGFR in multivesicular endosomes is discussed. Activation and phosphorylation of ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4 also results in their ubiquitination. However, these ErbBs are internalized and targeted to lysosomes less efficiently than EGFR. When overexpressed endocytosis-impaired ErbBs may inhibit the internalization and degradation of EGFR.

Publication types

  • Duplicate Publication
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Clathrin / metabolism
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / metabolism
  • Endocytosis / physiology*
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Clathrin
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors