Unraveling the pivotal role of ALIX in MVB sorting and silencing of activated EGFR

In this study, we demonstrate that despite its non-essential roles in degradation of activated EGFR, ALIX plays a critical role in MVB sorting and silencing of activated EGFR. EGF stimulation of mammalian cell lines induces ALIX interaction with ubiquitinated EGFR through the ALIX V domain and increases ALIX association with membrane-bound CHMP4 through the ALIX Bro1 domain. Under both continuous and pulse-chase EGF stimulation conditions, inhibition of ALIX interaction with membrane-bound CHMP4, inhibition of ALIX dimerization through the V domain or ALIX knockdown dramatically inhibits MVB sorting of activated EGFR and promotes sustained activation of ERK1/2. Under the continuous EGF stimulation conditions, these cell treatments also retard degradation of activated EGFR. These findings indicate that ALIX is critically involved in MVB sorting of ubiquitinated membrane receptors in mammalian cells.

Source: BJ Cell - December 16, 2014 Category: Biochemistry Authors: S Sun, X Zhou, W Zhang, G E. Gallick, J Kuang Tags: BJ Cell Source Type: research