FRAT1, a substrate-specific regulator of glycogen synthase kinase-3 activity, is a cellular substrate of protein kinase A

J Biol Chem. 2006 Nov 17;281(46):35021-9. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M607003200. Epub 2006 Sep 18.

Abstract

FRAT1, like its Xenopus homolog glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3)-binding protein, is known to inhibit GSK-3-mediated phosphorylation of beta-catenin. It is currently unknown how FRAT-GSK-3-binding protein activity toward GSK-3 is regulated. FRAT1 has recently been shown to be a phosphoprotein in vivo; however, the responsible kinase(s) have not been determined. In this study, we identified Ser188 as a phosphorylated residue in FRAT1. The identity of the kinase that catalyzes Ser188 phosphorylation and the significance of this phosphorylation to FRAT1 function were investigated. Protein kinase A (PKA) was found to phosphorylate Ser188 in vitro as well as in intact cells. Importantly, activation of endogenous cAMP-coupled beta-adrenergic receptors with norepinephrine stimulated the phosphorylation of FRAT1 at Ser188. GSK-3 was also able to phosphorylate FRAT1 at Ser188 and other residues in vitro or when overexpressed in intact cells. In contrast, endogenous GSK-3 did not lead to significant FRAT1 phosphorylation in cells, suggesting that GSK-3 is not a major FRAT1 kinase in vivo. Phosphorylation of Ser188 by PKA inhibited the ability of FRAT1 to activate beta-catenin-dependent transcription. In conclusion, PKA phosphorylates FRAT1 in vitro as well as in intact cells and may play a role in regulating the inhibitory activity of FRAT1 toward GSK-3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • FRAT1 protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3