PIM1 accelerates prostate cancer cell motility by phosphorylating actin capping proteins

Niina M Santio, Veera Vainio, Tuuli Hoikkala, Kwan Long Mung, Mirka Lång, Riitta Vahakoski, Justyna Zdrojewska, Eleanor T Coffey, Elena Kremneva, Eeva-Marja Rainio, Päivi J Koskinen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The PIM family kinases promote cancer cell survival and motility as well as metastatic growth in various types of cancer. We have previously identified several PIM substrates, which support cancer cell migration and invasiveness. However, none of them are known to regulate cellular movements by directly interacting with the actin cytoskeleton. Here we have studied the phosphorylation-dependent effects of PIM1 on actin capping proteins, which bind as heterodimers to the fast-growing actin filament ends and stabilize them.

METHODS: Based on a phosphoproteomics screen for novel PIM substrates, we have used kinase assays and fluorescence-based imaging techniques to validate actin capping proteins as PIM1 substrates and interaction partners. We have analysed the functional consequences of capping protein phosphorylation on cell migration and adhesion by using wound healing and real-time impedance-based assays. We have also investigated phosphorylation-dependent effects on actin polymerization by analysing the protective role of capping protein phosphomutants in actin disassembly assays.

RESULTS: We have identified capping proteins CAPZA1 and CAPZB2 as PIM1 substrates, and shown that phosphorylation of either of them leads to increased adhesion and migration of human prostate cancer cells. Phosphorylation also reduces the ability of the capping proteins to protect polymerized actin from disassembly.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that PIM kinases are able to induce changes in actin dynamics to support cell adhesion and movement. Thus, we have identified a novel mechanism through which PIM kinases enhance motility and metastatic behaviour of cancer cells. Video abstract.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCell Communication and Signaling
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Aug 2020
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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