Phosphorylation of DARPP-32 by Cdk5 modulates dopamine signalling in neurons

James A. Bibb, Gretchen L. Snyder, Akinori Nishi, Zhen Yan, Laurent Meijer, Allen A. Flenberg, Li Huel Tsai, Young T. Kwon, Jean Antoine Girault, Andrew J. Czernik, Richard L. Huganir, Hugh C. Hemmings, Angus C. Nairn, Paul Greengard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

499 Scopus citations

Abstract

The physiological state of the cell is controlled by signal transduction mechanisms which regulate the balance between protein kinase and protein phosphatase activities. Here we report that a single protein can, depending on which particular amino-acid residue is phosphorylated, function either as a kinase or phosphatase inhibitor. DARPP-32 (dopamine and cyclic AMP- regulated phospho-protein, relative molecular mass 32,000) is converted into an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 when it is phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA) at threonine 32 (refs 2, 3). We find that DARPP-32 is converted into an inhibitor of PKA when phosphorylated at threonine 75 by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5). Cdk5 phosphorylates DARPP-32 in vitro and in intact brain cells. Phospho-Thr 75 DARPP-32 inhibits PKA in vitro by a competitive mechanism. Decreasing phospho-Thr 75 DARPP-32 in striatal slices, either by a Cdk5-specific inhibitor or by using genetically altered mice, results in increased dopamine-induced phosphorylation of PKA substrates and augmented peak voltage-gated calcium currents. Thus DARPP-32 is a bifunctional signal transduction molecule which, by distinct mechanisms, controls a serine/threonine kinase and a serine/threonine phosphatase.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)669-671
Number of pages3
JournalNature
Volume402
Issue number6762
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 9 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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