Src-mediated caveolin-1 phosphorylation regulates intestinal epithelial restitution by altering Ca influx after wounding

Rathor N, Zhuang R, Wang JY, Donahue JM, Turner DJ, Rao JN. Src-mediated caveolin-1 phosphorylation regulates intestinal epithelial restitution by altering Ca influx after wounding. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 306: G650–G658, 2014. First published February 20, 2014; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00003.2014.—Early mucosal restitution occurs as a consequence of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) migration to reseal superficial wounds, but its exact mechanism remains largely unknown. Caveolin-1 (Cav1), a major component associated with caveolar lipid rafts in the plasma membrane, is implicated in many aspects of cellular functions. This study determined if c-Src kinase (Src)-induced Cav1 phosphorylation promotes intestinal epithelial restitution after wounding by activating Cav1-mediated Ca signaling. Src directly interacted with Cav1, formed Cav1-Src complexes, and phosphorylated Cav1 in IECs. Inhibition of Src activity by its chemical inhibitor PP2 or suppression of the functional caveolin scaffolding domain by caveolin-scaffolding domain peptides prevented Cav1Src interaction, reduced Cav1 phosphorylation, decreased Ca influx, and inhibited cell migration after wounding. Disruption of caveolar lipid raft microdomains by methyl-cyclodextrin reduced Cav1-mediated Ca influx and repressed epithelial restitution. Moreover, Src silencing prevented subcellular redistribution of phosphorylated Cav1 in migrating IECs. These results indicate that Src-induced Cav1 phosphorylation stimulates epithelial restitution by increasing Cav1-mediated Ca signaling after wounding, thus contributing to the maintenance of gut mucosal integrity under various pathological conditions.