Diphosphorylation of regulatory light chain of myosin IIA is responsible for proper cell spreading

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Apr 17;381(4):682-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.02.121. Epub 2009 Feb 28.

Abstract

The actomyosin cytoskeleton plays prominent roles in cell spreading and migration. To address the roles of myosin II isoforms and to estimate the region where the myosin IIs are activated in spreading cells, we examined the immunolocalization of myosin II isoforms and phosphorylated RLCs in the spreading MRC-5 cells. We observed the formation of actin ring-like structure at the base of the lamella. Both myosin IIA and IIB were predominantly localized there. Myosin IIA and diphosphorylated RLC were distributed outside of the region where myosin IIB and monophosphoryated RLC were distributed predominantly. Inhibition of Rho-kinase resulted in the disappearance of the diphosphorylation of RLC, moreover, it accelerated the rate of cell spreading and induced an aberrant cell shape at later stage of spreading. These results indicate that diphosphorylation of RLCs of myosin IIA by Rho-kinase in lamella is responsible for the cell to spread properly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Movement* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Myosin Light Chains / metabolism*
  • Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA / metabolism*
  • Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIB / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Myosin Light Chains
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA
  • Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIB