Direct binding of Cbl to Tyr568 and Tyr936 of the stem cell factor receptor/c-Kit is required for ligand-induced ubiquitination, internalization and degradation.

The ubiquitin E3 ligase Cbl has been shown to negatively regulate tyrosine kinase receptors, including the stem cell factor receptor/c-Kit. Impaired recruitment of Cbl to c-Kit results in a deregulated positive signalling that eventually can contribute to carcinogenesis. Here, we present results showing that Cbl is activated by the SFKs (Src family kinases) and recruited to c-Kit in order to trigger receptor ubiquitination. We demonstrate that phosphorylated Tyr568 and Tyr936 in c-Kit are involved in direct binding and activation of Cbl and that binding of the TKB domain (tyrosine kinase binding domain) of Cbl to c-Kit is specified by the presence of an isoleucine or leucine residue in position +3 to the phosphorylated tyrosine residue on c-Kit. Apart from the direct association between Cbl and c-Kit, we show that phosphorylation of Cbl by SFK members is required for activation of Cbl to occur. Moreover, we demonstrate that Cbl mediates monoubiquitination of c-Kit and that the receptor is subsequently targeted for lysosomal degradation. Taken together, our findings reveal novel insights into the mechanisms by which Cbl negatively regulates c-Kit-mediated signalling.