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Sci. Signal., 10 August 2010
Vol. 3, Issue 134, p. pe26
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.3134pe26]

PERSPECTIVES

Trafficking, Acidification, and Growth Factor Signaling

Christof Niehrs1* and Michael Boutros2*

1 German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ–Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH) Alliance, Division of Molecular Embryology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
2 German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics and University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Abstract: Wnt and Notch signaling pathways play key roles in development and disease. Despite great progress, the mechanism of signal transduction of their receptor-ligand complexes still holds surprises. For example, in both pathways, endocytosis is required for downstream signaling, but the mechanism by which endocytosis permits signaling is still unknown. New evidence indicates that endocytosis is required for the receptor-ligand complex to reach an acidified vesicular compartment. In turn, enzymes responsible for acidification are essential for Notch and Wnt signaling and also directly interact with the receptors. These findings raise new questions concerning the mechanism by which low pH promotes signal transduction and may open new possibilities for therapeutic intervention through the targeting of acidifying enzymes.

* Corresponding authors. E-mail, niehrs{at}dkfz.de (C.N.); m.boutros{at}dkfz.de (M.B.)

Citation: C. Niehrs, M. Boutros, Trafficking, Acidification, and Growth Factor Signaling. Sci. Signal. 3, pe26 (2010).

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