RSK-Mediated Non-canonical Activation of EphA2 by Tamoxifen

The long-term administration of tamoxifen to estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha)-positive breast cancer patients is an established treatment that reduces mortality and recurrence. However, resistance to tamoxifen and an increased risk of endometrial cancer may occur; therefore, the mechanisms by which tamoxifen causes these adverse effects warrant further study. Tamoxifen has been shown to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in an ER alpha-independent manner; therefore, we investigated its effects on the MAPK-mediated non-canonical activation of EphA2, a critical event regulating cell migration. Tamoxifen at slightly higher concentrations induced the rapid phosphorylation of EphA2 at Ser-897 via the MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERIC) kinase (MEIC)-ERK-ribosomal S6 kinases (RSK) pathway in HeLa cells. In addition, tamoxifen significantly enhanced the migration ability of ER alpha-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in RSK- and EphA2-dependent manners. Phosphorylated EphA2 was internalized and re-localized to the plasma membrane, including lamellipodia, in an RSK-dependent manner. Collectively, the present results provide novel insights into the tumor-promoting activity of tamoxifen.