A chimeric mechanism for polyvalent trans‐phosphorylation of PKA by PDK1

Phosphorylation on the activation loop of AGC kinases is typically mediated by PDK1. The precise mechanism for this in‐trans phosphorylation is unknown; however, docking of a hydrophobic (HF) motif in the C‐tail of the substrate kinase onto the N‐lobe of PDK1 is likely an essential step. Using a peptide array of PKA to identify other PDK1‐interacting sites, we discovered a second AGC‐conserved motif in the C‐tail that interacts with PDK1. Since this motif FD(X)_1‐2Y/F] lies in the active site tether region and in PKA contributes to ATP binding, we call it the Adenosine binding (Ade) motif. The Ade motif is conserved as a PDK1‐interacting site in Akt and PRK2, and we predict it will be a PDK1‐interacting site for most AGC kinases. In PKA, the HF motif is only recognized when the turn motif Ser338 is phosphorylated, possibly serving as a phosphorylation “switch” that regulates how the Ade and HF motifs interact with PDK1. These results demonstrate that the extended AGC C‐tail serves as a polyvalent element that trans‐regulates PDK1 for catalysis. Modeling of the PKA C‐tail onto PDK1 structure creates two chimeric sites; the ATP binding pocket, which is completed by the Ade motif, and the C‐helix, which is positioned by the HF motif. Together, they demonstrate substrate‐assisted catalysis involving two kinases that have co‐evolved as symbiotic partners. The highly regulated turn motifs are the most variable part of the AGC C‐tail. Elucidating the highly regulated cis and trans functions of the AGC tail is a significant future challenge.