Microtubules Coordinate VEGFR2 Signaling and Sorting

VEGF signaling is a key regulator of vessel formation and function. In vascular endothelial cells, this signaling is mediated through its cognate receptor VEGFR2, which is dynamically sorted in response to ligand. Little is known about the underlying mechanism of this intracellular sorting. Here we examined the role of different components of the cytoskeleton in this process. We found that VEGFR2 mainly associates with microtubule fibers and to a lesser extent with intermediate filaments and actin. Microtubule disruption leads to accumulation of VEGFR2 protein in the membrane and cytoplasm leading to defects in VEGF signaling. In contrast, inhibition of actin filaments results in no accumulation of VEGFR2 total protein or apparent changes in microtubule association. Instead, actin inhibition leads to a more global signaling disruption of the ERK1/2 pathway. This is the first report demonstrating that VEGFR2 associates closely with microtubules in modulating the subcellular sorting and signaling of VEGFR2.