The KH-Tudor domain of a-kinase anchoring protein 149 mediates RNA-dependent self-association

Biochemistry. 2006 Dec 19;45(50):14980-9. doi: 10.1021/bi061418y.

Abstract

A-Kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) control the subcellular localization and temporal specificity of protein phosphorylation mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. AKAP149 (AKAP1) is found in mitochondria and in the endoplasmic reticulum-nuclear envelope network where it anchors protein kinases, phosphatases, and a phosphodiesterase. AKAP149 harbors in its COOH-terminal part one KH and one Tudor domain, both known to be involved in RNA binding. We investigated the properties of the COOH-terminal domain of AKAP149. We show here that AKAP149 is a self-associating protein with RNA binding features. The KH domain of AKAP149 is sufficient for self-association in a RNA-dependent manner. The Tudor domain is not necessary for self-association, but it is required together with the KH domain for targeting to well-defined nuclear foci. These foci are spatially closely related to nucleolar subcompartments. We also show that the KH-Tudor-containing domain of AKAP149 binds RNA in vitro and in RNA coprecipitation experiments. AKAP149 emerges as a scaffolding protein involved in the integration of intracellular signals and possibly in RNA metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / genetics
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Nuclear Envelope / genetics
  • Nuclear Envelope / metabolism
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Folding*
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / physiology*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Akap1 protein, mouse
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA
  • Protein Kinases
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases