Na/H exchange regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) is a scaffolding protein that regulates signaling and trafficking of several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the parathyroid hormone receptor (PTH1R). GPCRs activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 through different mechanisms. Here, we characterized NHERF1 regulation of PTH1R-stimulated ERK1/2. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation by a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent, but protein kinase C-, cyclic adenosine 5-monophosphate-, and Rap1-independent pathway in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with the PTH1R and engineered to express NHERF1 under the control of tetracycline. NHERF1 blocked PTH-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation downstream of PKA. This suggested that NHERF1 inhibitory effects on ERK1/2 occur at a postreceptor locus. Forskolin activated ERK1/2, and this effect was blocked by NHERF1. NHERF1 interacted with AKT and inhibited ERK1/2 activation by decreasing the stimulatory effect of 14-3-3 binding to B-Raf, while increasing the inhibitory influence of AKT negative regulation on ERK1/2 activation. This novel regulatory mechanism provides a new model by which cytoplasmic adapter proteins modulate ERK1/2 activation through a receptor-independent mechanism involving B-Raf.
INTRODUCTIONMounting evidence indicates that ERK1/2 activity stimulated by G protein-coupled receptors proceeds in a cell-specific and G protein type-dependent manner (Luttrell, 2003). The type I parathyroid hormone (PTH), PTH/PTH-related peptide receptor (PTH1R), a member of class B of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (Horn et al., 2003) mediates PTH and PTHrP actions on extracellular calcium homeostasis and bone turnover. Although signaling through adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C (PLC) are the best-characterized pathways, the PTH1R also signals its actions through phospholipase D and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (MAPKs) (Friedman et al., 1999;Lederer et al., 2000;Fujita et al., 2002;Radeff et al., 2004;Singh et al., 2005;Syme et al., 2005;Mahon et al., 2006;.MAPKs are protein serine and threonine kinases that play important roles in cell growth, differentiation, survival, and in many aspects of bone turnover and calcium balance (Ishizuya et al., 1997;Sneddon et al., 2000;Fujita et al., 2002;Ahmed et al., 2003;Schindeler and Little, 2006). Extracellular signalregulated kinases (ERKs) 1 and 2, c-Jun-NH 2 -terminal kinase, and p38 kinase lie at the end of parallel MAPK cascades (Cobb, 1999). G protein-coupled receptors activate MAPK through three distinct pathways, including transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR); GPCR internalization; and G protein activation.The 50-kDa ezrin-binding protein-50, Na/H exchange regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) is a cytoplasmic adaptor protein (Bretscher et al., 2000;Shenolikar et al., 2004). NHERF1 recruits various cellular receptors, ion transporters, and other proteins to the plasma membrane of epithelia and other cells (Voltz et al., 20...