The membrane-proximal region of the thrombopoietin receptor confers its high surface expression by JAK2-dependent and -independent mechanisms

J Biol Chem. 2006 Dec 15;281(50):38930-40. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M607524200. Epub 2006 Oct 19.

Abstract

Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2) is essential for signaling by the thrombopoietin (TpoR) and erythropoietin (EpoR) receptors. In the absence of JAK2 most EpoR molecules are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum in an Endo H-sensitive form. In contrast, we show that in the absence of JAK2 a large fraction of the TpoR is processed to the mature Endo H-resistant form and reaches the cell surface. By studying chimeras of the TpoR and EpoR we show that high surface expression of the TpoR is entirely conferred by the membrane-proximal region of the intracellular domain that includes the juxtamembrane, Box 1, and Box 2 regions. The TpoR intracellular domain shows similar effects on receptor endocytosis rate as that of the EpoR, but does stabilize the mature receptor isoform from degradation. Co-expression of JAK2 further stabilizes mature TpoR and thus further increases its surface expression. This JAK2 effect depends on the Box 1 region, the only JAK2 interacting site in the TpoR. By contrast, EpoR requires Box 1 as well as the flanking 20 residues on the C-terminal side for JAK2 interaction and JAK2-dependent surface expression. Our study suggests that whereas cell surface expression of type I cytokine receptors requires their cognate JAKs, the mechanisms governing receptor-JAK interactions differ among receptors interacting with the same JAK protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Endocytosis
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin / chemistry
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin / genetics
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin / metabolism*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Receptors, Thrombopoietin
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 2