ALK activation induces Shc and FRS2 recruitment: Signaling and phenotypic outcomes in PC12 cells differentiation

Activation of the neuronal receptor tyrosine kinase ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) promoted the neuron-like differentiation of PC12 cells through specific activation of the ERK MAP-kinase pathway. However, the nature of primary signaling events initiated is still poorly documented. Here, we established that Shc and FRS2 adaptors were recruited and phosphorylated following antibody-based ALK activation. We further demonstrated that Shc was recruited to the consensus phosphotyrosine site NPTpY(1507) and FRS2 was likely recruited to a novel non-orthodox phosphotyrosine site within ALK. Finally, we characterized a functional role for Shc and likely FRS2 in ALK-dependant MAP-kinase activation and neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. These findings hence open attractive perspectives concerning specific characteristics of ALK in the control of the mechanisms driving neuronal differentiation.