Protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of the NF2 tumor suppressor protein merlin at serine 10 affects the actin cytoskeleton

Oncogene. 2008 May 22;27(23):3233-43. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210988. Epub 2007 Dec 10.

Abstract

Mutations in the neurofibromatosis 2 tumor suppressor gene (NF2) encoding merlin (moesin-ezrin-radixin like-protein) induce tumors of the nervous system. Merlin localizes to the cell membrane where it links the actin cytoskeleton to membrane proteins. Cell proliferation is regulated by merlin in many cell types, but merlin's tumor suppressor function still remains unclear. Phosphorylation has been suggested to regulate merlin's activity. The C-terminal serine 518 is phosphorylated both by p21-activated kinases (PAKs) and protein kinase A (PKA). In this work, we identify a novel PKA phosphorylation site, serine 10, in the N terminus of merlin. We show that a non-phosphorylatable form of serine 10 (S10A) affects cellular morphology. Regulation of this site also influences actin cytoskeleton organization and dynamics in vivo, as merlin S10A reduces the amount of cellular F-actin and merlin S10D stabilizes F-actin filaments. By using a wound-healing assay and live cell imaging, we demonstrate that dephosphorylation of serine 10 leads to defects in migration, possibly through altered ability of the cells to form lamellipodia. This study suggests a role for merlin in mediating PKA-induced changes of the actin cytoskeleton.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / physiology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Neurofibromin 2 / chemistry
  • Neurofibromin 2 / genetics
  • Neurofibromin 2 / metabolism*
  • Neurofibromin 2 / physiology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Polymers / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pseudopodia / drug effects
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism
  • Serine / genetics
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Thiazolidines / pharmacology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Neurofibromin 2
  • Polymers
  • Thiazolidines
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • ezrin
  • Serine
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • latrunculin B