Direct binding of MEK1 and MEK2 to AKT induces Foxo1 phosphorylation, cellular migration and metastasis

Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 22:7:43078. doi: 10.1038/srep43078.

Abstract

Crosstalk between the ERK cascade and other signaling pathways is one of the means by which it acquires its signaling specificity. Here we identified a direct interaction of both MEK1 and MEK2 with AKT. The interaction is mediated by the proline rich domain of MEK1/2 and regulated by phosphorylation of Ser298 in MEK1, or Ser306 in MEK2, which we identified here as a novel regulatory site. We further developed a blocking peptide, which inhibits the interaction between MEK and AKT, and when applied to cells, affects migration and adhesion, but not proliferation. The specific mechanism of action of the MEK-AKT complex involves phosphorylation of the migration-related transcription factor FoxO1. Importantly, prevention of the interaction results in a decreased metastasis formation in a breast cancer mouse model. Thus, the identified interaction both sheds light on how signaling specificity is determined, and represents a possible new therapeutic target for metastatic cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Movement*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1 / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*

Substances

  • FOXO1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • MAP2K2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 2
  • MAP2K1 protein, human