RGS16 is a negative regulator of SDF-1-CXCR4 signaling in megakaryocytes

Blood. 2005 Nov 1;106(9):2962-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-02-0526. Epub 2005 Jul 5.

Abstract

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) constitute a family of proteins involved in the negative regulation of signaling through heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Several RGS proteins have been implicated in the down-regulation of chemokine signaling in hematopoietic cells. The chemokine stromal-cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) activates migration of hematopoietic progenitors cells but fails to activate mature megakaryocytes despite high levels of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) receptor expression in these cells. This prompted us to analyze RGS expression and function during megakaryocyte differentiation. We found that RGS16 and RGS18 mRNA expression was up-regulated during this process. Overexpressing RGS16 mRNA in the megakaryocytic MO7e cell line inhibited SDF-1-induced migration, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B (AKT) activation, whereas RGS18 overexpression had no effect on CXCR4 signaling. Knocking down RGS16 mRNA via lentiviral-mediated RNA interference increased CXCR4 signaling in MO7e cells and in primary megakaryocytes. Thus, our data reveal that RGS16 is a negative regulator of CXCR4 signaling in megakaryocytes. We postulate that RGS16 regulation is a mechanism that controls megakaryocyte maturation by regulating signals from the microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / cytology
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC / genetics
  • Chemokines, CXC / metabolism*
  • Chemotaxis
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Megakaryocytes / cytology
  • Megakaryocytes / metabolism*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RGS Proteins / chemistry
  • RGS Proteins / genetics
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • CXCL12 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Proteins
  • RGS Proteins
  • RGS16 protein
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases