MEKK2 regulates paxillin ubiquitylation and localization in MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells

In this study we investigate MEKK2 function in focal adhesions, and we report that MEKK2 physically associates with the LD1 motif of the focal adhesion protein paxillin. We reveal that MEKK2 induces paxillin ubiquitylation, and that this function requires both the paxillin’s LD1 motif and MEKK2 kinase activity. Finally, we demonstrate that MEKK2 promotes paxillin redistribution from focal adhesions into the cytoplasm, but does not promote paxillin degradation. Taken together, our results reveal a novel function for MEKK2 as a regulator of ubiquitylation-dependent paxillin redistribution in breast tumor cells.

Source: BJ Cell - September 5, 2014 Category: Biochemistry Authors: M Ameka, M P. Kahle, M Perez-Neut, S Gentile, A A. Mirza, B D Cuevas Tags: BJ Signal Source Type: research