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  • Structural assembly of the signaling competent ERK2-RSK1 heterodimeric protein kinase complex.

Structural assembly of the signaling competent ERK2-RSK1 heterodimeric protein kinase complex.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2015-03-03)
Anita Alexa, Gergő Gógl, Gábor Glatz, Ágnes Garai, András Zeke, János Varga, Erika Dudás, Norbert Jeszenői, Andrea Bodor, Csaba Hetényi, Attila Reményi
ABSTRACT

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) bind and activate their downstream kinase substrates, MAPK-activated protein kinases (MAPKAPKs). Notably, extracellular signal regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) phosphorylates ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (RSK1), which promotes cellular growth. Here, we determined the crystal structure of an RSK1 construct in complex with its activator kinase. The structure captures the kinase-kinase complex in a precatalytic state where the activation loop of the downstream kinase (RSK1) faces the enzyme's (ERK2) catalytic site. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to show how this heterodimer could shift into a signaling-competent state. This structural analysis combined with biochemical and cellular studies on MAPK→MAPKAPK signaling showed that the interaction between the MAPK binding linear motif (residing in a disordered kinase domain extension) and the ERK2 "docking" groove plays the major role in making an encounter complex. This interaction holds kinase domains proximal as they "readjust," whereas generic kinase domain surface contacts bring them into a catalytically competent state.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Monoclonal ANTI-FLAG® M2 antibody produced in mouse, 1 mg/mL, clone M2, affinity isolated antibody, buffered aqueous solution (50% glycerol, 10 mM sodium phosphate, and 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.4)
Sigma-Aldrich
hEGF, EGF, recombinant, expressed in E. coli, lyophilized powder, suitable for cell culture