The phosphorylation of p25/TPPP by LIM kinase 1 inhibits its ability to assemble microtubules

Exp Cell Res. 2007 Dec 10;313(20):4091-106. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.08.012.

Abstract

LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) is a key regulator of actin dynamics as it phosphorylates and inactivates cofilin, an actin-depolymerizing factor. LIMK1 activity is also required for microtubule disassembly in endothelial cells. A search for LIMK1-interacting proteins identified p25alpha, a phosphoprotein that promotes tubulin polymerization. We found that p25 is phosphorylated by LIMK1 on serine residues in vitro and in cells. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that p25 is not a brain specific protein as previously reported, but is expressed in all mouse tissues. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that endogenous p25 is co-localized with microtubules and is also found in the nucleus. Down-regulation of p25 by siRNA decreased microtubule levels while its overexpression in stable NIH-3T3 cell lines increased cell size and levels of stable tubulin. Bacterially expressed unphosphorylated p25 promotes microtubule assembly in vitro; however, when phosphorylated in cells, p25 lost its ability to assemble microtubule. Our results represent a surprising connection between the tubulin and the actin cytoskeleton mediated by LIMK1. We propose that the LIMK1 phosphorylation of p25 blocks p25 activity, thus promoting microtubule disassembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Size
  • Down-Regulation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lim Kinases / chemistry
  • Lim Kinases / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphoserine / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sheep
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TPPP protein, human
  • Tubulin
  • Phosphoserine
  • Lim Kinases