JAK2 tyrosine kinase phosphorylates PAK1 and regulates PAK1 activity and functions

The serine-threonine kinase PAK1 is activated by small GTPase-dependent and -independent mechanisms and promotes cell survival. However, the role of tyrosyl phosphorylation in the regulation of PAK1 function is poorly understood. In this study, we have shown that the prolactin-activated tyrosine kinase JAK2 phosphorylates PAK1 in vivo. Wild type, but not kinase-dead, JAK2 directly phosphorylates PAK1 in cells and in an in vitro kinase assay. PAK1 tyrosines 153, 201, and 285 were identified as sites of JAK2 tyrosyl phosphorylation by mass spectrometry and two-dimensional peptide mapping. Mutation of PAK1 tyrosines 153, 201, and 285 to phenylalanines individually or in combination implicated these PAK1 tyrosines in the regulation of PAK1 kinase activity. Tyrosyl phosphorylation by JAK2 significantly increases PAK1 kinase activity, whereas similar phosphorylation of the PAK1 Y153F,Y201F,Y285F mutant has no effect on PAK1 activity. Tyrosyl phosphorylation of wild type PAK1 decreases apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and staurosporine treatment and increases cell motility. In contrast, these parameters are unaltered in the PAK1 Y153F,Y201F,Y285F mutant. Our findings indicate that JAK2 phosphorylates PAK1 at these specific tyrosines and that this phosphorylation plays an important role in cell survival and motility.