BackgroundEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling is critical in epithelial cancer development. Human rhomboid family-1 (RHBDF1) facilitates the secretion of TGFα, an EGFR ligand, in breast cancer; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We evaluated the role for RHBDF1 in clathrin-coated vesicle (CCV)-dependent pro-TGFα membrane trafficking in breast cancer cells upon stimulation by G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists.MethodsRHBDF1 was silenced in various breast cancer cells using shRNA. TGFα levels, subcellular localization, and secretion were evaluated using ELISA, immunofluorescent staining, and coimmunoprecipitation. Phosphorylation and expression of relevant proteins were measured by western blotting. RHBDF1-dependent cell viability and invasion were measured.FindingsRHBDF1 mediates GPCR agonist-induced EGFR phosphorylation by promoting TGFα secretion in various types of breast cancer cells. RHBDF1 not only mediates ADAM17-dependent shedding of TGFα, but is essential in membrane trafficking of pro-TGFα. RHBDF1 silencing results in blocking of clathrin uncoating from CCV, a crucial step for the plasma membrane release of pro-TGFα. Interaction of RHBDF1 with auxilin-2, a CCV protein, determines the recruitment of HSC70 to CCV to facilitate clathrin uncoating. RHBDF1 function is required for the proliferation and mobility of breast cancer cells upon stimulation by Sphingosine 1 Phosphate (S1P), a GPCR agonist. We demonstrate a significant correlation between RHBDF1 overexpression and EGFR activation in breast cancer tissues.InterpretationRHBDF1 is an indispensable component of the protein trafficking machinery involved in GPCR-mediated EGFR transactivation, and is an attractive therapeutic target for cancer.FundNational Natural Science Foundation of China (81,672,740 to ZSZ, 81,272,356 and 81,330,029 to LYL).

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are capable of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation, and thus able to propagate and generate mature blood cell types. 1-3 The regenerative potential of HSC is attractive for using these cells for the treatment of certain haematological malignancies and degenerative diseases. 4,5 Unfortunately, only about 30% of patients could find a human leucocyte antigen