Crk proteins transduce FGF signaling to promote lens fiber cell elongation

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.32586
• Publication Date: 2018-01-23T13:00:29Z
• Authors: Tamica N Collins; Yingyu Mao; Hongge Li; Michael Bouaziz; Angela Hong; Gen-Sheng Feng; Fen Wang; Lawrence A Quilliam; Lin Chen; Taeju Park; Tom Curran; Xin Zhang
• Keywords: Adapter molecule crk; GRB2

Specific cell shapes are fundamental to the organization and function of multicellular organisms. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling induces elongation lens fiber cells during vertebrate development. Nonetheless, exactly how this extracellular FGF signal is transmitted cytoskeletal network has previously not been determined. Here, we show that Crk family adaptor proteins, Crkl, required for mouse morphogenesis but differentiation. Genetic ablation epistasis experiments demonstrated Crkl play overlapping roles downstream in order regulate elongation. Upon stimulation, proteins were found interact with Frs2, Shp2 Grb2. The loss was partially compensated by activation Ras Rac signaling. These results reveal important partners Frs2/Shp2/Grb2 complex mediating signaling, specifically promoting shape changes.