Growth factor signaling pathways: phosphoinositide metabolism and phosphorylation of phospholipase C.

Recent demonstrations of growth factor-stimulated increases in cellular phosphoinositide metabolism suggest that regulatory enzymes of this important signaling pathway may be substrates for growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. Studies employing phosphotyrosine antibodies, specific phospholipase C antibodies, and purified phospholipase C proteins support the conclusion that the 145-kD phospholipase C-gamma 1 isoenzyme is rapidly and selectively phosphorylated by the activated epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptors. The selective interaction of these receptors with phospholipase C-gamma 1 suggests a novel, direct mechanism for agonist stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism.