Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-induced Endothelial Cell Migration by LIM Kinase 1-mediated Phosphorylation of Annexin 1

In this study, we obtained evidence indicating that annexin 1 is a new target of the p38/MAPKAP kinase-2 pathway and that it regulates endothelial cell migration in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These conclusions are supported by a series of substantiating experiments. First, by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified annexin 1 as a protein whose phosphorylation is induced by VEGF and is impaired by inhibiting p38. Second, using in vitro kinase assays and in vivo phosphorylation assays, we found that VEGF-mediated activation of LIM kinase 1 downstream of the p38 pathway triggers the phosphorylation of annexin 1. Third, VEGF-induced cell migration and tube formation in Matrigel are inhibited following small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of annexin 1. Fourth, both processes are rescued in cells expressing an annexin 1 construct insensitive to the small interfering RNA knockdown. Finally, the VEGF/annexin 1-mediated cell migration is impaired by inhibiting p38. We therefore conclude that phosphorylation of annexin 1 regulates the angiogenic effect that is associated with the activation of the p38/LIM kinase 1 axis by VEGF.