Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/37897
Type: Thesis
Title: Dissecting signalling contributions of the alpha and beta subunits of the GM-CSF receptor
Author: Perugini, Michelle
Issue Date: 2007
School/Discipline: School of Medicine
Abstract: Normal tissue homeostasis and appropriate responses to injury and infection are dependent on cellular communication mediated by cell surface receptors that respond to extrinsic stimuli. The GM-CSF receptor was the major focus of this project. This receptor shares a common signalling subunit, β [subscript c], with the IL-3 and IL-5 receptors. The unique GM-CSF receptor α-subunit ( GMRα ) confers ligand binding specificity to the complex and is essential for GM-CSF receptor signalling, although the full complement of signalling events mediated by GMRα remains elusive. Through cloning of candidate interacting proteins, expression and co-immunoprecipitation studies, we have confirmed interactions for two proteins previously reported to interact with the GMRα, p85 and IKKβ. Additionally, we identified the Src family kinase, Lyn, as a novel direct interacting partner of GMRα and provide insights into possible roles of this kinase in initiating signalling from the GM-CSF receptor. In addition to GMRα associated events we aimed to further characterise the role of the common β [subscript c] subunit in GM-CSF mediated signalling. We utilised two classes of consitutively active β [subscript c] mutants ( extracellular or transmembrane ) which transform the bi-potential myeloid FDB1 cell line to either factor-independent growth and survival, or granulocyte-macrophage differentiation, respectively. Here we report a comprehensive biochemical analysis of signalling by these two classes of mutants in this cell line. The two activated GMR mutants displayed distinct and non-overlapping signalling capacity. In particular, expression of a mutant with a substitution in the transmembrane domain ( V449E ) selectively activated JAK / STAT5 and MAPK pathways resulting in a high level of sensitivity to JAK and MEK inhibitors. In contrast, expression of a mutant with a 37 amino acid duplication in its extracellular domain ( FI Δ ) selectively activates the PI3K / AKT and IKKβ / NFkB pathways. Cells responding to this mutant display a relative high level of sensitivity to two independent PI3K inhibitors and relative resistance to inhibition of MEK and JAK2. The non-overlapping nature of signalling by these two activated mutants suggests that there are alternative modes of receptor activation that differentially dependent on JAK2 and that act synergistically in the mature liganded cytokine receptor complex. Further detailed analysis of these mutants will facilitate the dissection of the signalling pathways involved in the GM-CSF response that mediate proliferation, survival and differentiation.
Advisor: D'Andrea, Richard James
Gonda, Thomas John
Dissertation Note: Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2007.
Subject: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
Hematopoiesis
Cytokines
Provenance: This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exception. If you are the author of this thesis and do not wish it to be made publicly available or If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
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