PKCε-mediated c-Met endosomal processing directs fluctuant c-Met-JNK-paxillin signaling for tumor progression of HepG2

Abstract Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induced c-Met signaling play critical roles in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, c-Met targeting approaches suffered resistance and side effect, thus identification of more suitable downstream targets is needed. Recently, we demonstrated HGF-induced fluctuant ERK/paxillin signaling within 24 h. We further examined the underlying mechanisms for fluctuant c-Met/JNK/paxillin signal cascade within 12 h. HGF-induced phosphorylation of c-Met, JNK, and paxillin (Ser178) shared a common fluctuation pattern characterized by an initial peak at 0.5 h, a middle drop at 4 h, and a later peak at 10 h. Dynasore, the inhibitor of dynamin, suppressed HGF-induced c-Met internalization and phosphorylation of JNK and paxillin (Ser178) at 0.5 h, indicating that endosome formation is required for initial signal enhancement. Further, depletion of PKCe not only enhanced HGF-induced phosphorylation of JNK and paxillin (Ser178) but also prevented c-Met degradation at 0.5 h, suggesting that PKCe mediated c-Met degradation for signal declination. On the other hand, HGF induced colocalizations of both phosphorylated JNK and paxillin with the endosomal recycling protein GGA3 at 10 h and depletion of GGA3 abolished membrane recycling of c-Met and phosphorylation of JNK/paxillin at the same time point. Interestingly, HGF induced GGA3 phosphorylation in a PKCe-dependent manner during 0.5–4 h, which is associated with c-Met degradation in the same period. Finally, HGF-induced cell migration, invasion and intrahepatic metastasis of HepG2 were prevented by the inhibitors of endocytosis. Our results suggest that critical endosomal components are promising therapeutic targets for preventing HGF-induced progression of HCC.