The role of collagen structure in mitogen stimulation of ERK, cyclin D1 expression, and G₁-S progression in rat hepatocytes

Adhesion to type 1 collagen can elicit different cellular responses dependent upon whether the collagen is in a fibrillar form (gel) or monomeric form (film). Hepatocytes adherent to collagen film spread extensively, express cyclin D1, and increase DNA synthesis in response to epidermal growth factor, whereas hepatocytes adherent to collagen gel have increased differentiated function, but lower DNA synthesis. The signaling mechanisms by which different forms of type I collagen modulate cell cycle progression are unknown. When ERK MAP kinase activation was analyzed in hepatocytes attached to collagen film, two peaks of ERK activity were demonstrated. Only the second peak, which correlated with an increase of cyclin D1, was required for G₁-S progression. Notably, this second peak of ERK activity was absent in cells adherent to collagen gel, but not required in the presence of exogenous cyclin D1. Expression of activated mutants of the Ras/Raf/MEK signaling pathway in cells adherent to collagen gel restored ERK phosphorylation and DNA synthesis, but differentially affected cell shape. Although Ras, Raf, and MEK all increased expression of cyclin D1 on collagen film, only Ras and Raf significantly up-regulated cyclin D1 levels on collagen gel. These results demonstrate that adhesion to polymerized collagen induces growth arrest by inhibiting the Ras/ERK-signaling pathway to cyclin D1 required in late G ₁.