The Metastasis Suppressor Protein Nme1 Is a Concentration-Dependent Modulator of Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II

Biochemistry. 2019 Jun 18;58(24):2710-2714. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00121. Epub 2019 Jun 4.

Abstract

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (Nmes or NDPKs) have been implicated in a multitude of cellular processes, including an important role in metastasis suppression, and several enzymatic activities have been assigned to the Nme family. Nevertheless, for many of these processes, it has not been possible to establish a strong connection between Nme enzymatic activity and the relevant biological function. We hypothesized that, in addition to its known enzymatic functions, members of the Nme family might also regulate signaling cascades by acting on key signal transducers. Accordingly, here we show that Nme1 directly interacts with the calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). Using purified proteins, we monitored the phosphorylation of a number of CaMKII substrates and determined that at nanomolar levels Nme1 enhances the phosphorylation of T-type substrates; this modulation shifts to inhibition at low micromolar concentrations. Specifically, the autophosphorylation of CaMKII at Thr286 is completely inhibited by 2 μM Nme1, a feature that distinguishes Nme1 from other known endogenous CaMKII inhibitors. Importantly, CaMKII inhibition does not require phosphotransfer activity by Nme1 because the kinase-dead Nme1 H118F mutant is as effective as the wild-type form of the enzyme. Our results provide a novel molecular mechanism whereby Nme1 could modulate diverse cellular processes in a manner that is independent of its known enzymatic activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / chemistry
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Assays
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / chemistry
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / genetics
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
  • Nme1 protein, mouse