Proliferin induces endothelial cell chemotaxis through a G protein-coupled, mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway.

To investigate the mechanism of action of the placental angiogenic hormone proliferin (PLF), we analyzed the signaling components in endothelial cells that are required for PLF-induced chemotaxis. Pertussis toxin, which inactivates Gi proteins, inhibited PLF-induced chemotaxis of endothelial cells. Gi proteins can lead to activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway; PLF was found to stimulate MAPK activity, and this induction was blocked by both pertussis toxin and a specific inhibitor of MAPK kinase, PD 098059. Furthermore, a blockade of MAPK activation prevented endothelial cell movement in response to PLF. As PLF functionally interacts with the insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II)/mannose 6-phosphate receptor, we also examined the effects of pertussis toxin and PD 098059 on another ligand for this receptor, a mutant form of IGF-II; both inhibitors also block the action of this factor on endothelial cells. These data suggest that chemotaxis initiated by PLF and mediated by the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor occurs through a G protein-coupled pathway, and that MAPK activation is necessary for the chemotactic response.