Phosphorylation of cortactin by p21-activated kinase

Cortactin is an F-actin binding protein that is enriched in dynamic cytoskeletal organelles such as podosomes, membrane ruffles, and lamellipodia. We have shown previously that Src-phosphorylation of cortactin is not required for its translocation to phorbol-ester induced podosomes in A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells, but may be important for stability and turnover of podosomes. However, little is known of the role of Ser/Thr kinases in the regulation of cortactin. Here, we report that p21-associated kinase (PAK), which plays a crucial role in the formation of podosome and membrane ruffles, is able to phosphorylate cortactin in vitro. The predominant phosphorylation site is located at Ser113 in the first actin-binding repeat. Phosphorylation by PAK is not required for the translocation of cortactin to podosomes, lamellipodia, or membrane ruffles in A7r5 smooth muscle cells. However, binding of cortactin to F-actin is significantly reduced by PAK-phosphorylation. Taken together, these results suggest a role for PAK-phosphorylation of cortactin in the regulation of the dynamics of branched actin filaments in dynamic cytoskeletal organelles.