Geldanamycin-induced down-regulation of ErbB2 from the plasma membrane is clathrin dependent but proteasomal activity independent.

ErbB2, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family, is overexpressed in a number of human cancers. In contrast to the epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB2 is normally endocytosis resistant. However, ErbB2 can be down-regulated by inhibitors of heat shock protein 90, such as geldanamycin. We now show that geldanamycin induces endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of full-length ErbB2. We further report that the endocytosis of ErbB2 is dynamin and clathrin dependent. When ErbB2 was retained at the plasma membrane due to knockdown of clathrin heavy chain, the intracellular part of ErbB2 was degraded in a proteasomal manner. However, our data strongly suggest that proteasomal activity is not required for geldanamycin-induced endocytosis of ErbB2 in SKBr3 cells. Interestingly, however, proteasomal inhibitors retarded degradation of ErbB2, and electron microscopy analysis strongly suggested that proteasomal activity is required to sort internalized ErbB2 to lysosomes. Because geldanamycin derivatives and inhibitors of proteasomal activity are both used in experimental cancer treatment, knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in geldanamycin-induced down-regulation of ErbB2 is important for future design of cancer treatment.