A phosphatase-centric mechanism drives stress signaling response

EMBO Rep. 2021 Nov 4;22(11):e52476. doi: 10.15252/embr.202152476. Epub 2021 Sep 24.

Abstract

Changing environmental cues lead to the adjustment of cellular physiology by phosphorylation signaling networks that typically center around kinases as active effectors and phosphatases as antagonistic elements. Here, we report a signaling mechanism that reverses this principle. Using the hyperosmotic stress response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, we find that a phosphatase-driven mechanism causes induction of phosphorylation. The key activating step that triggers this phospho-proteomic response is the Endosulfine-mediated inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A-Cdc55 (PP2ACdc55 ), while we do not observe concurrent kinase activation. In fact, many of the stress-induced phosphorylation sites appear to be direct substrates of the phosphatase, rendering PP2ACdc55 the main downstream effector of a signaling response that operates in parallel and independent of the well-established kinase-centric stress signaling pathways. This response affects multiple cellular processes and is required for stress survival. Our results demonstrate how a phosphatase can assume the role of active downstream effectors during signaling and allow re-evaluating the impact of phosphatases on shaping the phosphorylome.

Keywords: PP2A; endosulfine; greatwall kinase; hyperosmotic stress signaling; phosphatase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / genetics
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / metabolism
  • Proteomics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins* / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • CDC55 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Protein Phosphatase 2