Protein kinase D (PKD) has been identified as a negative regulator of epithelial cell migration; however, its molecular substrates and downstream signaling pathways that mediate this activity have remained elusive. In this study, we provide evidence that the cofilin phosphatase slingshot 1 like (SSH1L), an important regulator of the complex actin remodeling machinery, is a novel in vivo PKD substrate. PKD-mediated phosphorylation of serines 937 and 978 regulates SSH1L subcellular localization by binding of 14-3-3 proteins and thus impacts the control of local cofilin activation and actin remodeling during cell migration. In line with this, we show that the loss of PKD decreases cofilin phosphorylation, induces a more spread cell morphology, and stimulates chemotactic migration of breast cancer cells in an SSHL1-dependent fashion. Our data thus identify PKD as a central regulator of the cofilin signaling network via direct phosphorylation and regulation of SSH1L. [Cancer Res 2009;69(14):5634–8]

Phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase-IIIβ (PI4KIIIβ) is activated at the Golgi compartment by PKD-mediated phosphorylation. Subsequent mechanisms responsible for continuous PtdIns(4)P production at Golgi membranes and potential interaction partners of activated PI4KIIIβ are unknown. Here we identify phosphoserine/-threonine binding 14-3-3 proteins as novel regulators of PI4KIIIβ activity downstream of this phosphorylation. The PI4KIIIβ-14-3-3 interaction, evident from GST pulldowns, co-immunoprecipitations and bimolecular fluorescence complementation, was augmented by phosphatase inhibition with okadaic acid. Binding of 14-3-3 proteins to PI4KIIIβ involved the PKD phosphorylation site Ser294, evident from reduced 14-3-3 binding to a S294A PI4KIIIβ mutant. Expression of dominant negative 14-3-3 proteins resulted in decreased PI4KIIIβ Ser294 phosphorylation, whereas wildtype 14-3-3 proteins increased phospho-PI4KIIIβ levels. This was because of protection of PI4KIIIβ Ser294 phosphorylation from phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation. The functional significance of the PI4KIIIβ-14-3-3 interaction was evident from a reduction of PI4KIIIβ activity upon dominant negative 14-3-3 protein expression. We propose that 14-3-3 proteins function as positive regulators of PI4KIIIβ activity by protecting the lipid kinase from active site dephosphorylation, thereby ensuring a continuous supply of PtdIns(4)P at the Golgi compartment.

Protein kinase D (PKD) is a cytosolic serine/threonine kinase implicated in regulation of several cellular processes such as response to oxidative stress, directed cell migration, invasion, differentiation, and fission of the vesicles at the trans-Golgi network. Its variety of functions must be mediated by numerous substrates; however, only a couple of PKD substrates have been identified so far. Here we perform stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture-based quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis to detect phosphorylation events dependent on PKD1 activity in human cells. We compare relative phosphorylation levels between constitutively active and kinase dead PKD1 strains of HEK293 cells, both treated with nocodazole, a microtubule-depolymerizing reagent that disrupts the Golgi complex and activates PKD1. We identify 124 phosphorylation sites that are significantly down-regulated upon decrease of PKD1 activity and show that the PKD target motif is significantly enriched among down-regulated phosphorylation events, pointing to the presence of direct PKD1 substrates. We further perform PKD1 target motif analysis, showing that a proline residue at position +1 relative to the phosphorylation site serves as an inhibitory cue for PKD1 activity. Among PKD1-dependent phosphorylation events, we detect predominantly proteins with localization at Golgi membranes and function in protein sorting, among them several sorting nexins and members of the insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor pathway. This study presents the first global detection of PKD1-dependent phosphorylation events and provides a wealth of information for functional follow-up of PKD1 activity upon disruption of the Golgi network in human cells.

As membrane-associated master regulators of cytoskeletal remodeling, Rho GTPases coordinate a wide range of biological processes such as cell adhesion, motility, and polarity. In the last years, Rho GTPases have also been recognized to control intracellular membrane sorting and trafficking steps directly; however, how Rho GTPase signaling is regulated at endomembranes is still poorly understood. In this review, we will specifically address the local Rho GTPase pools coordinating intracellular membrane trafficking with a focus on the endo- and exocytic pathways. We will further highlight the spatiotemporal molecular regulation of Rho signaling at endomembrane sites through Rho regulatory proteins, the GEFs and GAPs. Finally, we will discuss the contribution of dysregulated Rho signaling emanating from endomembranes to the development and progression of cancer.

In eukaryotic cells, the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) serves as a platform for secretory cargo sorting and trafficking. In recent years, it has become evident that a complex network of lipid–lipid and lipid–protein interactions contributes to these key functions. This review addresses the role of lipids at the TGN with a particular emphasis on sphingolipids and diacylglycerol. We further highlight how these lipids couple secretory cargo sorting and trafficking for spatiotemporal coordination of protein transport to the plasma membrane.