STE20-related Kinase Adaptor Protein α (STRADα) Regulates Cell Polarity and Invasion through PAK1 Signaling in LKB1-null Cells

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Carrie M. Eggers, Emory University; Erik R. Kline, Emory University; Diansheng Zhong, Emory University; Wei Zhou, Emory University; Adam I Marcus, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-05-25
• Publisher: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://www.jbc.org/content/287/22/18758
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Biological Chemistry
• Volume: 287
• Issue: 22
• Start Page: 18758
• End Page: 18768
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was also supported by a Lung Cancer Program Project Grant (5P01 CA116676) (to A. I. M. and W. Z.).; This work was supported by an American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award (RSG-08-035-01-CSM), the National Lung Cancer Partnership, and an R01 (1R01CA142858) (to A. I. M.).
• Keywords: cdc42; Metastasis; Invasion; rac1; Cell Motility; Cell Migration; Cell Polarity; strad; lkb1
• Research Categories: Chemistry, Biochemistry; Health Sciences, Oncology

Abstract

Background: STRADα is the cofactor of the tumor suppressor LKB1; however, it is unclear if STRADα has LKB1-independent roles. Results: STRADα complexes with the kinase PAK1 to modify PAK1 phosphorylation likely via rac1 and control cell motility when LKB1 is null. Conclusion: STRADα regulates PAK1 in LKB1-null cells to oversee cancer cell polarity and invasion. Significance: This shows an undiscovered role of STRADα distinct from the LKB1 pathway.