Increased oncogenic potential of ErbB is associated with the loss of a COOH-terminal domain serine phosphorylation site.

The erbB oncogene encodes an altered form of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor that lacks the extracellular ligand binding domain. This oncogene is exclusively leukemogenic. However, an increase in oncogenic potential and a broadening of the tissue specificity of tumor formation occurs after retroviral transduction of erbB.

Mechanism of desensitization of the epidermal growth factor receptor protein-tyrosine kinase.

The intrinsic protein-tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is required for signal transduction. Increased protein-tyrosine kinase activity is observed following the binding of EGF to the receptor. However, signaling is rapidly desensitized during EGF treatment.

Multisite phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Use of site-directed mutagenesis to examine the role of serine/threonine phosphorylation.

The major sites of serine and threonine phosphorylation of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor observed in intact cells are Thr654, Thr669, Ser1046, and Ser1047. Phosphorylation of the EGF receptor is increased at these sites in cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor or phorbol ester. This increase in EGF receptor phosphorylation is associated with an inhibition of the high affinity binding of EGF to cell surface receptors and an inhibition of the receptor tyrosine protein kinase activity.

Reconstitution of epidermal growth factor receptor transmodulation by platelet-derived growth factor in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) causes an acute decrease in the high affinity binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to cell surface receptors and an increase in the phosphorylation state of the EGF receptor at threonine654. The hypothesis that PDGF action to regulate the EGF receptor is mediated by the activation of protein kinase C and the subsequent phosphorylation of EGF receptor threonine654 was tested. The human receptors for PDGF and EGF were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells that lack expression of endogenous receptors for these growth factors.

Mechanism of phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor at threonine 669.

The major site of phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor after treatment of cells with EGF is threonine 669. Phosphorylation of this site is also associated with the transmodulation of the EGF receptor caused by platelet-derived growth factor and phorbol ester. A distinctive feature of the primary sequence surrounding threonine 669 is the proximity of 2 proline residues (-Pro-Leu-Thr669-Pro-).