Phosphorylation of RGS13 by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibits RGS13 degradation

J Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Dec;2(6):357-65. doi: 10.1093/jmcb/mjq031. Epub 2010 Oct 25.

Abstract

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are scaffolds that control diverse signaling pathways by modulating signalosome formation and by accelerating the GTPase activity of heterotrimeric G proteins. Although expression of many RGS proteins is relatively low in quiescent cells, transcriptional and post-translational responses to environmental cues regulate both their abundance and activity. We found previously that RGS13, one of the smallest RGS proteins in the family, inhibited cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-induced gene expression through interactions with the transcription factor cAMP-response element-binding (CREB) protein. Here, we show that PKA activation also leads to increased steady-state RGS13 expression through RGS13 phosphorylation, which inhibits RGS13 protein degradation. RGS13 turnover was significantly reduced in cells stimulated with cAMP, which was reversed by expression of the PKA-specific inhibitory peptide PKI. RGS13 phosphorylation was diminished by mutation of an N-terminal Thr residue (T41) identified as a phosphorylation site by mass spectrometry. Mutation of Thr41 in RGS13 to Ala (T41A) reduced steady-state RGS13 levels and its ability to inhibit M2 muscarinic receptor-mediated Erk phosphorylation compared with wild-type RGS13 by attenuating the protective effect of cAMP on RGS13 degradation. RGS13 underwent ubiquitylation, indicating that it is a likely target of the proteasome. These studies are the first to demonstrate post-translational mechanisms controlling the expression of RGS13. Stabilization of RGS13 through PKA-mediated phosphorylation could enhance RGS13 functions, providing negative feedback regulation that promotes cellular desensitization.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • RGS Proteins / chemistry
  • RGS Proteins / genetics
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Muscarinic M2 / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • RGS Proteins
  • RGS13 protein, human
  • Receptor, Muscarinic M2
  • Ubiquitin
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex