Grb2 regulation of the actin-based cytoskeleton is required for ligand-independent EGF receptor-mediated oncogenesis.

Mutations within members of the EGF/ErbB receptor family frequently release the oncogenic potential of these receptors, resulting in the activation of downstream signaling events independent of ligand regulatory constraints. We previously have demonstrated that the signal transduction events originating from S3-v-ErbB, a ligand-independent, oncogenic EGF receptor mutant, are qualitatively distinct from the ligand-dependent mitogenic signaling pathways associated with the wild-type EGF receptor. Specifically, expression of S3-v-ErbB in primary fibroblasts results in anchorage-independent growth, increased invasive potential, and the formation of a transformation-specific phosphoprotein signaling complex, all in a Ras-independent manner. Here we demonstrate the transformation-specific interaction between two components of this complex: the adaptor protein Grb2 and the cytoskeletal regulatory protein caldesmon. This interaction is mediated via both the amino-terminal SH3 and central SH2 domains of Grb2, and the amino-terminal (myosin-binding) domain of caldesmon. Expression of a dominant-negative Grb2 deletion mutant, which lacks the carboxy-terminal SH3 domain, in fibroblasts expressing S3-v-ErbB results in a reduction in phosphoprotein complex formation, the loss of anchorage-independent growth, and a reduction in invasive potential. Together, these results demonstrate a Ras-independent role for Grb2 in modulating cytoskeletal function during ligand-independent EGF receptor-mediated transformation, and provide further support for the hypothesis that ligand-independent oncogenic signaling is qualitatively distinct from ligand-dependent mitogenic signaling by the EGF receptor.