Neuroglycan C, a novel member of the neuregulin family

Abstract Neuroglycan C (NGC) is a transmembrane chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expressed predominantly in the brain that possesses an EGF-like extracellular domain. The goal of the present study was to determine whether NGC may activate ErbB tyrosine kinases. A recombinant human NGC extracellular domain induced tyrosine phosphorylation of ErbB2 and ErbB3 as well as cell growth of the human breast tumor cell lines, T47D and MDA-MB-453. In vitro pull-down assay revealed that NGC could directly bind to a recombinant ErbB3-immunoglobulin Fc fusion protein (ErbB3-Fc) but not to ErbB1-Fc, ErbB2-Fc or ErbB4-Fc. A newly established anti-ErbB3 neutralizing monoclonal antibody (#5C3) almost completely blocked NGC-induced ErbB activation in MDA-MB-453 cells. Taken together, these data indicate that NGC is an active growth factor and a direct ligand for ErbB3 and that NGC transactivates ErbB2. Thus, NGC should be classified as the sixth member (neuregulin-6) of the neuregulin family.