A novel endocytic mechanism of epidermal growth factor receptor sequestration and internalization

Cells form transient, circular dorsal ruffles or "waves" in response to stimulation of receptor tyrosine kinases, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor. These dynamic structures progress inward on the dorsal surface and disappear, occurring concomitantly with a marked reorganization of F-actin. The cellular function of these structures is largely unknown. Here we show that EGF-induced waves selectively sequester and internalize ~ 50% of ligand-bound EGFR from the cell surface. This process requires receptor phosphorylation, active phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and dynamin 2, although clathrin-coated pits or caveolae are not required. Epithelial and fibroblast cells stimulated with EGF sequestered EGFR rapidly into waves that subsequently generated numerous receptor-positive tubular-vesicular structures. Electron microscopy confirmed that waves formed along the dorsal membrane surface and extended numerous tubules into the cytoplasm. These findings characterize a structure that selectively sequesters large numbers of activated EGFR for their subsequent internalization, independent of traditional endocytic mechanisms such as clathrin pits or caveolae.