P21活化激酶在肿瘤的作用

p21活化激酶（p21-activated kinase,PAKs）是小G蛋白Rac和细胞分裂调控蛋白42（Cdc42）的一类效应蛋白质. PAKs是一类进化保守的丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶,在细胞骨架重排、细胞增生、细胞存活及增殖等方面发挥重要作用. 在哺乳动物中根据结构特征可将PAKs分为2个亚家族I类（A组）和Ⅱ类（B组）：I类包括PAK1、PAK2和PAK3,Ⅱ类包括PAK4,PAK5和PAK6. 近年来,对PAKs在肿瘤发生发展中作用的研究成为焦点.本文对PAKs中各成员的结构功能,及其在肿瘤发生发展过程中的作用等方面进行简要综述.     

p21活化激酶的生物学活性及其与肿瘤的关系

p21活化激酶(p21-activatedkinase,PAK),为一类进化上保守的丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶。PAK在许多组织中广泛表达,作为小G蛋白Rho家族Cdc42和Rac1的下游靶蛋白,可以被生长因子及其他胞外信号通过GTP酶依赖的信号通路或非GTP酶依赖的信号通路活化,发挥多种生物学效应。PAK作为一种重要的生物学调节因子,在哺乳动物一系列细胞功能中具有重要作用,如:细胞运动、细胞生存、细胞周期、血管生成、基因转录调节及癌细胞的侵袭转移。通过对PAK家族成员信号转导机制的研究,为癌症治疗提供分子靶标。     

Activation of p21-activated kinase 6 by MAP kinase kinase 6 and p38 MAP kinase

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) contain an N-terminal Cdc42/Rac interactive binding domain, which in the group 1 PAKs (PAK1, 2, and 3) regulates the activity of an adjacent conserved autoinhibitory domain. In contrast, the group 2 PAKs (PAK4, 5, and 6) lack this autoinhibitory domain and are not activated by Cdc42/Rac binding, and the mechanisms that regulate their kinase activity have been unclear. This study found that basal PAK6 kinase activity was repressed by a p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase antagonist and could be strongly stimulated by constitutively active MAP kinase kinase 6 (MKK6), an upstream activator of p38 MAP kinases. Mutation of a consensus p38 MAP kinase target site at serine 165 decreased PAK6 kinase activity. Moreover, PAK6 was directly activated by MKK6, and mutation of tyrosine 566 in a consensus MKK6 site (threonine-proline-tyrosine, TPY) in the activation loop of the PAK6 kinase domain prevented activation by MKK6. PAK6 activation by MKK6 was also blocked by mutation of an autophosphorylated serine (serine 560) in the PAK6 activation loop, indicating that phosphorylation of this site is necessary for MKK6-mediated activation. PAK4 and PAK5 were similarly activated by MKK6, consistent with a conserved TPY motif in their activation domains. The activation of PAK6 by both p38 MAP kinase and MKK6 suggests that PAK6 plays a role in the cellular response to stress-related signals.     

Structure of PAK1 in an autoinhibited conformation reveals a multistage activation switch

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs), stimulated by binding with GTP-liganded forms of Cdc42 or Rac, modulate cytoskeletal actin assembly and activate MAP-kinase pathways. The 2.3 A resolution crystal structure of a complex between the N-terminal autoregulatory fragment and the C-terminal kinase domain of PAK1 shows that GTPase binding will trigger a series of conformational changes, beginning with disruption of a PAK1 dimer and ending with rearrangement of the kinase active site into a catalytically competent state. An inhibitory switch (IS) domain, which overlaps the GTPase binding region of PAK1, positions a polypeptide segment across the kinase cleft. GTPase binding will refold part of the IS domain and unfold the rest. A related switch has been seen in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP).     

PAK5在凋亡级联反应中的调节作用

PAK5为PAKs家族中新近发现的成员. PAKs是一类通过与Rac和Cdc42结合而激活的高度保守的蛋白酶.PAKs在细胞骨架、神经生长、激素信号传导、基因转录等生理活动中起着重要的调控作用. PAK5在大脑组织中高度表达,在细胞中定位于线粒体. PAK5 与神经生长、增强微管的稳定性以及阻止细胞凋亡等活动密切相关.本文就PAK5的结构、表达部位和功能以及其在调控凋亡级联反应中的作用等方面做了简要综述.     

Association of PI-3 kinase with PAK1 leads to actin phosphorylation and cytoskeletal reorganization

The family of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) have been implicated in the rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton by acting downstream of the small GTPases Rac and Cdc42. Here we report that even though Cdc42/Rac1 or Akt are not activated, phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase activation induces PAK1 kinase activity. Indeed, we demonstrate that PI-3 kinase associates with the N-terminal regulatory domain of PAK1 (amino acids 67-150) leading to PAK1 activation. The association of the PI-3 kinase with the Cdc42/Rac1 binding-deficient PAK1(H83,86L) confirms that the small GTPases are not involved in the PI-3 kinase-PAK1 interaction. Furthermore, PAK1 was activated in cells expressing the dominant-negative forms of Cdc42 or Rac1. Additionally, we show that PAK1 phosphorylates actin, resulting in the dissolution of stress fibers and redistribution of microfilaments. The phosphorylation of actin was inhibited by the kinase-dead PAK1(K299R) or the PAK1 autoinhibitory domain (PAK1(83-149)), indicating that PAK1 was responsible for actin phosphorylation. We conclude that the association of PI-3 kinase with PAK1 regulates PAK1 kinase activity through a Cdc42/Rac1-independent mechanism leading to actin phosphorylation and cytoskeletal reorganization.     

p21-Activated kinase 5: A pleiotropic kinase

The PAKs (p21-activated kinases) are highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinases which comprise six mammalian PAKs. PAK5 (p21-activated kinase 5) is the least understood member of PAKs that regulate many intracellular processes when they are stimulated by activated forms of the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac. PAK5 takes an important part in multiple signal pathways in mammalian cells and controls a variety of cellular functions including cytoskeleton organization, cell motility and apoptosis. The main goal of this review is to describe the structure, mechanisms underlying its activity regulation, its role in apoptosis and the likely directions of further research.     

Actions of Rho family small G proteins and p21-activated protein kinases on mitogen-activated protein kinase family members.

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases that are regulated by distinct extracellular stimuli. The currently known members include extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1), ERK2, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPKs), and p38 MAP kinases. We find that overexpression of the Ste20-related enzymes p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and PAK2 in 293 cells is sufficient to activate JNK/SAPK and to a lesser extent p38 MAP kinase but not ERK2. Rat MAP/ERK kinase kinase 1 can stimulate the activity of each of these MAP kinases. Although neither activated Rac nor the PAKs stimulate ERK2 activity, overexpression of either dominant negative Rac2 or the N-terminal regulatory domain of PAK1 inhibits Ras-mediated activation of ERK2, suggesting a permissive role for Rac in the control of the ERK pathway. Furthermore, constitutively active Rac2, Cdc42hs, and RhoA synergize with an activated form of Raf to increase ERK2 activity. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized connection between Rho family small G proteins and the ERK pathway.     

Emerging from the Pak: the p21-activated protein kinase family

The p21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) are members of a growing family of regulatory enzymes that may play roles in diverse phenomena such as cellular morphogenesis, the stress response and the pathogenesis of AIDS. PAKs were initially discovered as binding partners for small (21 kDa) GTPases that regulate actin polymerization, and recent evidence has shown that some members of the PAK family may be effectors for related GTPases that are involved in intracellular vesicle trafficking. Because the downstream signalling pathways for all such GTPases are poorly understood, intense studies are under way to discern the role of PAK and its cousins. In this review, the authors highlight some of the established properties of the extended PAK family and discuss current controversies regarding their possible roles as GTPase effectors.     

GIT1 activates p21-activated kinase through a mechanism independent of p21 binding

p21-activated kinases (PAKs) associate with a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Pak-interacting exchange factor (PIX), which in turn binds the paxillin-associated adaptor GIT1 that targets the complex to focal adhesions. Here, a detailed structure-function analysis of GIT1 reveals how this multidomain adaptor also participates in activation of PAK. Kinase activation does not occur via Cdc42 or Rac1 GTPase binding to PAK. The ability of GIT1 to stimulate alphaPAK autophosphorylation requires the participation of the GIT N-terminal Arf-GAP domain but not Arf-GAP activity and involves phosphorylation of PAK at residues common to Cdc42-mediated activation. Thus, the activation of PAK at adhesion complexes involves a complex interplay between the kinase, Rho GTPases and protein partners that provide localization cues.     

Signaling,Regulation, and Specificity of the Type II p21-activated Kinases

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of six serine/threonine kinases that act as key effectors of RHO family GTPases in mammalian cells. PAKs are subdivided into two groups: type I PAKs (PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3) and type II PAKs (PAK4, PAK5, and PAK6). Although these groups are involved in common signaling pathways, recent work indicates that the two groups have distinct modes of regulation and have both unique and common substrates. Here, we review recent insights into the molecular level details that govern regulation of type II PAK signaling. We also consider mechanisms by which signal transduction is regulated at the level of substrate specificity. Finally, we discuss the implications of these studies for clinical targeting of these kinases.     

p21 activated kinase 5 activates Raf-1 and targets it to mitochondria

Raf-1 is an important effector of Ras mediated signaling and is a critical regulator of the ERK/MAPK pathway. Raf-1 activation is controlled in part by phosphorylation on multiple residues, including an obligate phosphorylation site at serine 338. Previously PAK1 and casein kinase II have been implicated as serine 338 kinases. To identify novel kinases that phosphorylate this site, we tested the ability of group II PAKs (PAKs 4-6) to control serine 338 phosphorylation. We observed that all group II PAKs were efficient serine 338 kinases, although only PAK1 and PAK5 significantly stimulated Raf-1 kinase activity. We also showed that PAK5 forms a tight complex with Raf-1 in the cell, but not A-Raf or B-Raf. Importantly, we also demonstrated that the association of Raf-1 with PAK5 targets a subpopulation of Raf-1 to mitochondria. These data indicate that PAK5 is a potent regulator of Raf-1 activity and may control Raf-1 dependent signaling at mitochondria.     

Crystal structure of the SH3 domain of betaPIX in complex with a high affinity peptide from PAK2

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are important effector proteins of the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac and control cytoskeletal rearrangements and cell proliferation. The direct interaction of PAKs with guanine nucleotide exchange factors from the PIX/Cool family, which is responsible for the localization of PAK kinases to focal complexes in the cell, is mediated by a 24-residue peptide segment in PAKs and an N-terminal src homology 3 (SH3) domain in PIX/Cool. The SH3-binding segment of PAK contains the atypical consensus-binding motif PxxxPR, which is required for unusually high affinity binding. In order to understand the structural basis for the high affinity and specificity of the PIX-PAK interaction, we solved crystal structures for the N-terminal SH3 domain of betaPIX and for the complex of the atypical binding segment of PAK2 with the N-terminal SH3 domain of betaPIX at 0.92 A and 1.3A resolution, respectively. The asymmetric unit of the crystal contains two SH3 domains and two peptide ligands. The bound peptide adopts a conformation that allows for intimate contacts with three grooves on the surface of the SH3 domain that lie between the n-Src and RT-loops. Most notably, the arginine residue of the PxxxPR motif forms a salt-bridge and is tightly coordinated by a number of residues in the SH3 domain. This arginine-specific interaction appears to be the key determinant for the high affinity binding of PAK peptides. Furthermore, C-terminal residues of the peptide engage in additional interactions with the surface of the RT-loop, which significantly increases binding specificity. Compared to a recent NMR structure of a similar complex, our crystal structure reveals an alternate binding mode. Finally, we compare our crystal structure with the recently published betaPIX/Cbl-b complex structure, and suggest the existence of a molecular switch.     

Requirement for PAK4 in the anchorage-independent growth of human cancer cell lines

p21-activated protein kinase (PAK) serine/threonine kinases are important effectors of Rho family GTPases and have been implicated in the regulation of cell morphology and motility, as well as in cell transformation. To further investigate the possible involvement of PAK kinases in tumorigenesis, we analyzed the expression of several family members in tumor cell lines. Here we demonstrate that PAK4 is frequently overexpressed in human tumor cell lines of various tissue origins. We also have identified serine (Ser-474) as the likely autophosphorylation site in the kinase domain of PAK4 in vivo. Mutation of this serine to glutamic acid (S474E) results in constitutive activation of the kinase. Phosphospecific antibodies directed against serine 474 detect activated PAK4 on the Golgi membrane when PAK4 is co-expressed with activated Cdc42. Furthermore, expression of the active PAK4 (S474E) mutant has transforming potential, leading to anchorage-independent growth of NIH3T3 cells. A kinase-inactive PAK4 (K350A,K351A), on the other hand, efficiently blocks transformation by activated Ras and inhibits anchorage-independent growth of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Taken together, our data strongly implicate PAK4 in oncogenic transformation and suggest that PAK4 activity is required for Ras-driven, anchorage-independent growth.     

Structural insights into the autoactivation mechanism of p21-activated protein kinase

p21-activated kinases (PAKs) play an important role in diverse cellular processes. Full activation of PAKs requires autophosphorylation of a critical threonine/serine located in the activation loop of the kinase domain. Here we report crystal structures of the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated PAK1 kinase domain. The phosphorylated PAK1 kinase domain has a conformation typical of all active protein kinases. Interestingly, the structure of the unphosphorylated PAK1 kinase domain reveals an unusual dimeric arrangement expected in an authentic enzyme-substrate complex, in which the activation loop of the putative "substrate" is projected into the active site of the "enzyme." The enzyme is bound to AMP-PNP and has an active conformation, whereas the substrate is empty and adopts an inactive conformation. Thus, the structure of the asymmetric homodimer mimics a trans-autophosphorylation complex, and suggests that unphosphorylated PAK1 could dynamically adopt both the active and inactive conformations in solution.     

Cdc42/Rac1-mediated activation primes PAK2 for superactivation by tyrosine phosphorylation

The involvement of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in important cellular processes such as regulation of the actin skeleton morphology, transduction of signals controlling gene expression, and execution of programmed cell death has directed attention to the regulation of the activity of these kinases. Here we report that activation of PAK2 by p21 GTPases can be strongly potentiated by cellular tyrosine kinases. PAK2 became tyrosine phosphorylated in its N-terminal regulatory domain, where Y130 was identified as the major phosphoacceptor site. Tyrosine phosphorylation-mediated superactivation of PAK2 could be induced by overexpression of different Src kinases or by inhibiting cellular tyrosine phosphatases with pervanadate and could be blocked by the Src kinase inhibitor PP1 or by mutating the Y130 residue. Analysis of PAK2 mutants activated by amino acid changes in the autoinhibitory domain or the catalytic domain indicated that GTPase-induced conformational changes, rather than catalytic activation per se, rendered PAK2 a target for tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, PAK activation represents a potentially important point of convergence of tyrosine kinase- and p21 GTPase-dependent signaling pathways.     

p21-activated kinase-aberrant activation and translocation in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis

Defects in dendritic spines and synapses contribute to cognitive deficits in mental retardation syndromes and, potentially, Alzheimer disease. p21-activated kinases (PAKs) regulate actin filaments and morphogenesis of dendritic spines regulated by the Rho family GTPases Rac and Cdc42. We previously reported that active PAK was markedly reduced in Alzheimer disease cytosol, accompanied by downstream loss of the spine actin-regulatory protein Drebrin. beta-Amyloid (Abeta) oligomer was implicated in PAK defects. Here we demonstrate that PAK is aberrantly activated and translocated from cytosol to membrane in Alzheimer disease brain and in 22-month-old Tg2576 transgenic mice with Alzheimer disease. This active PAK coimmunoprecipitated with the small GTPase Rac and both translocated to granules. Abeta42 oligomer treatment of cultured hippocampal neurons induced similar effects, accompanied by reduction of dendrites that were protected by kinase-active but not kinase-dead PAK. Abeta42 oligomer treatment also significantly reduced N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor subunit NR2B phosphotyrosine labeling. The Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2 significantly blocked the PAK/Rac translocation but not the loss of p-NR2B in Abeta42 oligomer-treated neurons. Src family kinases are known to phosphorylate the Rac activator Tiam1, which has recently been shown to be Abeta-responsive. In addition, anti-oligomer curcumin comparatively suppressed PAK translocation in aged Tg2576 transgenic mice with Alzheimer amyloid pathology and in Abeta42 oligomer-treated cultured hippocampal neurons. Our results implicate aberrant PAK in Abeta oligomer-induced signaling and synaptic deficits in Alzheimer disease.     

Regulation of macropinocytosis by p21-activated kinase-1

The process of macropinocytosis is an essential aspect of normal cell function, contributing to both growth and motile processes of cells. p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are targets for activated Rac and Cdc42 guanosine 5'-triphosphatases and have been shown to regulate the actin-myosin cytoskeleton. In fibroblasts PAK1 localizes to areas of membrane ruffling, as well as to amiloride-sensitive pinocytic vesicles. Expression of a PAK1 kinase autoinhibitory domain blocked both platelet-derived growth factor- and RacQ61L-stimulated uptake of 70-kDa dextran particles, whereas an inactive version of this domain did not, indicating that PAK kinase activity is required for normal growth factor-induced macropinocytosis. The mechanisms by which PAK modulate macropinocytosis were examined in NIH3T3 cell lines expressing various PAK1 constructs under the control of a tetracycline-responsive transactivator. Cells expressing PAK1 (H83,86L), a mutant that dramatically stimulates formation of dorsal membrane ruffles, exhibited increased macropinocytic uptake of 70-kDa dextran particles in the absence of additional stimulation. This effect was not antagonized by coexpression of dominant-negative Rac1-T17N. In the presence of platelet-derived growth factor, both PAK1 (H83,86L) and a highly kinase active PAK1 (T423E) mutant dramatically enhanced the uptake of 70-kDa dextran. Neither wild-type PAK1 nor vector controls exhibited enhanced macropinocytosis, nor did PAK1 (H83,86L) affect clathrin-dependent endocytic mechanisms. Active versions of PAK1 enhanced both growth factor-stimulated 70-kDa dextran uptake and efflux, suggesting that PAK1 activity modulated pinocytic vesicle cycling. These data indicate that PAK1 plays an important regulatory role in the process of macropinocytosis, perhaps related to the requirement for PAK in directed cell motility.     

The mechanism of PAK activation. Autophosphorylation events in both regulatory and kinase domains control activity

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs), in common with many kinases, undergo multiple autophosphorylation events upon interaction with appropriate activators. The Cdc42-induced phosphorylation of PAK serves in part to dissociate the kinase from its partners PIX and Nck. Here we investigate in detail how autophosphorylation events affect the catalytic activity of PAK by altering the autophosphorylation sites in both alpha- and betaPAK. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses demonstrate that, although most phosphorylation events in the PAK N-terminal regulatory domain play no direct role in activation, a phosphorylation of alphaPAK serine 144 or betaPAK serine 139, which lie in the kinase inhibitory domain, significantly contribute to activation. By contrast, sphingosine-mediated activation is independent of this residue, indicating a different mode of activation. Thus two autophosphorylation sites direct activation while three others control association with focal complexes via PIX and Nck.