Angiotensin II stimulates protein-tyrosine phosphorylation in a calcium-dependent manner

Cellular responses to epidermal growth factor (EGF) are dependent on the tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity of the cell-surface EGF receptor. Previous studies using WB rat liver epithelial cells have detected at least 10 proteins whose phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr) content is increased by EGF. In this study, we have examined alternate modes of activating tyrosine phosphorylation. Treatment of WB cells with hormones linked to Ca²⁺ mobilization and protein kinase C (PKC) activation, including angiotensin II, [Arg⁸]vasopressin, or epinephrine, stimulated rapid (≤15-s) and transient increases in the P-Tyr content of several proteins (p120/125, p75/78, and p66). These proteins, detected by anti-P-Tyr immunoblotting, were similar in molecular weight to a subset of EGF-sensitive P-Tyr-containing proteins (P-Tyr-proteins). The increased P-Tyr content was confirmed by [³²P]phosphoamino acid analysis of proteins recovered by anti-P-Tyr immunoprecipitation. Elevating intracellular [Ca²⁺] with the ionophore A23187 or ionomycin or with the tumor promoter thapsigargin mimicked the effects of hormones on tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas treatment with a PKC-activating phorbol ester did not. In addition, responses to angiotensin II were not diminished in PKC-depleted cells. Ca²⁺ mobilization, measured by fura-2 fluorescence, was coincident with the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in response to angiotensin II or thapsigargin. Loading cells with the intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator bis-(O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) inhibited the appearance of all P-Tyr-proteins in response to angiotensin II, thapsigargin, or ionophores, as well as two EGF-stimulated P-Tyr-proteins. The majority of EGF-stimulated P-Tyr-proteins were not affected by BAPTA. These studies indicate that angiotensin II can alter protein-tyrosine phosphorylation in a manner that is secondary to, and apparently dependent on, Ca²⁺ mobilization. Thus, ligands such as EGF and angiotensin II, which act through distinct types of receptors, may activate secondary pathways involving tyrosine phosphorylation. These results also raise the possibility that certain growth-promoting effects of Ca²⁺-mobilizing agents such as angiotensin II may be mediated via tyrosine phosphorylation.