Unconventional rapid Erk1,2 activation is indispensable for proliferation of the growth factor-independent myeloid leukemic cell line KG1.

While normal hematopoietic progenitor cells are dependent on colony-stimulating factors for in vitro proliferation, myeloid leukemic cells are frequently factor-independent. In this study we investigated several signalling intermediates of the Ras-Er1,2 pathway which may be involved in the development of growth factor independence. In the growth factor independent cell line KG1, an extremely short activation pattern of Erk1,2 with a maximum at 30 s was observed in response to FBS. In contrast, stimulation of the IL-3 receptor in AML193 cells resulted in a transient Erk activation peaking at 5 min and returning to base levels after 15 min. Although the Erk activation in KG1 cells is short-lived, using the MEK inhibitor PD98059, we demonstrated that Erk phosphorylation is essential for proliferation of these cell lines. We also detected major differences in Shc phosphorylation between factor-dependent and -independent cells. These data suggest that Erk activation is essential for proliferation of growth factor-dependent and -independent leukemic cells. The minimal Erk activation observed in KG1 cells in response to serum is sufficient for mitogenesis of these cells.