Cell-type-specific activation of PAK2 by transforming growth factor β independent of Smad2 and Smad3

MC Wilkes, SJ Murphy, N Garamszegi… - Molecular and cellular …, 2003 - Taylor & Francis
MC Wilkes, SJ Murphy, N Garamszegi, EB Leof
Molecular and cellular biology, 2003Taylor & Francis
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) causes growth arrest in epithelial cells and
proliferation and morphological transformation in fibroblasts. Despite the ability of TGF-β to
induce various cellular phenotypes, few discernible differences in TGF-β signaling between
cell types have been reported, with the only well-characterized pathway (the Smad cascade)
seemingly under identical control. We determined that TGF-β receptor signaling activates
the STE20 homolog PAK2 in mammalian cells. PAK2 activation occurs in fibroblast but not …
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) causes growth arrest in epithelial cells and proliferation and morphological transformation in fibroblasts. Despite the ability of TGF-β to induce various cellular phenotypes, few discernible differences in TGF-β signaling between cell types have been reported, with the only well-characterized pathway (the Smad cascade) seemingly under identical control. We determined that TGF-β receptor signaling activates the STE20 homolog PAK2 in mammalian cells. PAK2 activation occurs in fibroblast but not epithelial cell cultures and is independent of Smad2 and/or Smad3. Furthermore, we show that TGF-β-stimulated PAK2 activity is regulated by Rac1 and Cdc42 and dominant negative PAK2 or morpholino antisense oligonucleotides to PAK2 prevent the morphological alteration observed following TGF-β addition. Thus, PAK2 represents a novel Smad-independent pathway that differentiates TGF-β signaling in fibroblast (growth-stimulated) and epithelial cell (growth-inhibited) cultures.
Taylor & Francis Online