EPAC and PKA allow cAMP dual control over DNA-PK nuclear translocation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Sep 2;105(35):12791-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0805167105. Epub 2008 Aug 26.

Abstract

We identify a compartmentalized signaling system that identifies a functional role for the GTP exchange factor, exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC) coupled to Rap2 in the nucleus. In this system, cAMP regulates the nuclear/cytoplasmic trafficking of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), a critical kinase that acts to repair double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in damaged DNA and to phosphorylate the cell survival kinase, PKB/Akt. Intersecting regulatory inputs for cAMP employ EPAC to transduce positive effects, namely the Rap2-dependent nuclear exit and activation of DNA-PK, whereas protein kinase A (PKA) provides the negative input by antagonizing these actions. We identify this as a compartmentalized regulatory system where modulation of cAMP input into the stimulatory, EPAC and inhibitory, PKA intersecting arms is provided by spatially discrete, cAMP degradation systems. The distribution of DNA-PK between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments can thus potentially be influenced by relative inputs of cAMP signaling through the EPAC and PKA pathways. Through this signaling system EPAC activation can thereby impact on the Ser-473 phosphorylation status of PKB/Akt and the repair of etoposide-induced DSBs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Nucleus / enzymology*
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphoserine / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Peptides
  • RAPGEF3 protein, human
  • Phosphoserine
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
  • RAP2A protein, human
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins