Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancer

Abstract Approximately 20% of breast cancers overexpress ErbB2/HER2/Neu, a receptor tyrosine kinase. Our previous studies demonstrated that HER2 interacts with the calcium pump, PMCA2, and the scaffolding molecules, NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize HER2/HSP90 interactions and contribute to the retentio...

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Main Authors: Jaekwang Jeong, Kwangmin Yoo, Jongwon Lee, Jae Hun Shin, Jungmin Choi, John Wysolmerski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Breast Cancer Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-025-02025-6
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author Jaekwang Jeong
Kwangmin Yoo
Jongwon Lee
Jae Hun Shin
Jungmin Choi
John Wysolmerski
author_facet Jaekwang Jeong
Kwangmin Yoo
Jongwon Lee
Jae Hun Shin
Jungmin Choi
John Wysolmerski
author_sort Jaekwang Jeong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Approximately 20% of breast cancers overexpress ErbB2/HER2/Neu, a receptor tyrosine kinase. Our previous studies demonstrated that HER2 interacts with the calcium pump, PMCA2, and the scaffolding molecules, NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize HER2/HSP90 interactions and contribute to the retention of active HER2 at the plasma membrane. In the normal mammary epithelium where apical/basal polarity is tightly regulated by junctional proteins, HER2 is expressed at low levels in the basolateral membrane and interacts with the LAP family member, Erbin, whereas PMCA2, NHERF1, and Ezrin localize to the apical membrane. Here, we show that loss of apical membrane polarity in hyperplastic lesions of MMTV-Neu mammary glands or in human DCIS leads to intermixing of these molecules and allows Erbin to interact with NHERF1, Ezrin and HER2 initially within the basolateral membrane and then more diffusely throughout the plasma membrane. In SKBR3 cells, Erbin interacts with NHERF1, Ezrin and HER2 in actin-rich membrane protrusions that we have previously described to be sites of active HER2 signaling. Knockdown of Erbin in these cells reduced HER2 signaling by disrupting the formation of a HER2/NHERF1/Ezrin/HSP90 protein complex in the membrane protrusions. Furthermore, inhibition of Ezrin or knock-down of NHERF1 expression disrupted the ability of Erbin to interact with HER2. Taken together, our data suggest that Erbin supports HER2 stability, HER2 membrane retention and HER2 transforming ability by interacting with Ezrin and NHERF1 to maintain a multi-protein signaling complex necessary for HER2-mediated transformation.
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spelling doaj-art-57de43d4ca3a4b7499f5aeafb46cf89f2025-08-20T02:29:51ZengBMCBreast Cancer Research1465-542X2025-05-0127111610.1186/s13058-025-02025-6Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancerJaekwang Jeong0Kwangmin Yoo1Jongwon Lee2Jae Hun Shin3Jungmin Choi4John Wysolmerski5Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of MedicineDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of MedicineDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of MedicineIntegrative Science and Engineering Division, Underwood International College, Yonsei UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of MedicineSection of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of MedicineAbstract Approximately 20% of breast cancers overexpress ErbB2/HER2/Neu, a receptor tyrosine kinase. Our previous studies demonstrated that HER2 interacts with the calcium pump, PMCA2, and the scaffolding molecules, NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize HER2/HSP90 interactions and contribute to the retention of active HER2 at the plasma membrane. In the normal mammary epithelium where apical/basal polarity is tightly regulated by junctional proteins, HER2 is expressed at low levels in the basolateral membrane and interacts with the LAP family member, Erbin, whereas PMCA2, NHERF1, and Ezrin localize to the apical membrane. Here, we show that loss of apical membrane polarity in hyperplastic lesions of MMTV-Neu mammary glands or in human DCIS leads to intermixing of these molecules and allows Erbin to interact with NHERF1, Ezrin and HER2 initially within the basolateral membrane and then more diffusely throughout the plasma membrane. In SKBR3 cells, Erbin interacts with NHERF1, Ezrin and HER2 in actin-rich membrane protrusions that we have previously described to be sites of active HER2 signaling. Knockdown of Erbin in these cells reduced HER2 signaling by disrupting the formation of a HER2/NHERF1/Ezrin/HSP90 protein complex in the membrane protrusions. Furthermore, inhibition of Ezrin or knock-down of NHERF1 expression disrupted the ability of Erbin to interact with HER2. Taken together, our data suggest that Erbin supports HER2 stability, HER2 membrane retention and HER2 transforming ability by interacting with Ezrin and NHERF1 to maintain a multi-protein signaling complex necessary for HER2-mediated transformation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-025-02025-6ErbinHER2NHERF1EzrinApical/basal polarityHSP90
spellingShingle Jaekwang Jeong
Kwangmin Yoo
Jongwon Lee
Jae Hun Shin
Jungmin Choi
John Wysolmerski
Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancer
Breast Cancer Research
Erbin
HER2
NHERF1
Ezrin
Apical/basal polarity
HSP90
title Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancer
title_full Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancer
title_fullStr Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancer
title_full_unstemmed Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancer
title_short Erbin interacts with NHERF1 and Ezrin to stabilize a membrane ErbB2 signaling complex in HER2-positive breast cancer
title_sort erbin interacts with nherf1 and ezrin to stabilize a membrane erbb2 signaling complex in her2 positive breast cancer
topic Erbin
HER2
NHERF1
Ezrin
Apical/basal polarity
HSP90
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-025-02025-6
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