LIM kinase 1 coordinates microtubule stability and actin polymerization in human endothelial cells

J Biol Chem. 2005 Jul 15;280(28):26533-42. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M502921200. Epub 2005 May 16.

Abstract

Microtubule (MT) destabilization promotes the formation of actin stress fibers and enhances the contractility of cells; however, the mechanism involved in the coordinated regulation of MTs and the actin cytoskeleton is poorly understood. LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) regulates actin polymerization by phosphorylating the actin depolymerization factor, cofilin. Here we report that LIMK1 is also involved in the MT destabilization. In endothelial cells endogenous LIMK1 co-localizes with MTs and forms a complex with tubulin via the PDZ domain. MT destabilization induced by thrombin or nocodazole resulted in a decrease of LIMK1 colocalization with MTs. Overexpression of wild type LIMK1 resulted in MT destabilization, whereas the kinase-dead mutant of LIMK1 (KD) did not affect MT stability. Importantly, down-regulation of endogenous LIMK1 by small interference RNA resulted in abrogation of the thrombin-induced MTs destabilization and the inhibition of thrombin-induced actin polymerization. Expression of Rho kinase 2, which phosphorylates and activates LIMK1, dramatically decreases the interaction of LIMK1 with tubulin but increases its interaction with actin. Interestingly, expression of KD-LIMK1 or small interference RNA-LIMK1 prevents thrombin-induced microtubule destabilization and F-actin formation, suggesting that LIMK1 activity is required for thrombin-induced modulation of microtubule destabilization and actin polymerization. Our findings indicate that LIMK1 may coordinate microtubules and actin cytoskeleton.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lim Kinases
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Nocodazole / chemistry
  • Nocodazole / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Thrombin / chemistry
  • Thrombin / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Tubulin / chemistry
  • rho-Associated Kinases

Substances

  • Actins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Tubulin
  • RNA
  • DNA
  • Protein Kinases
  • LIMK1 protein, human
  • Lim Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Thrombin
  • Nocodazole