Distinct Docking Mechanisms Mediate Interactions between the Msg5 Phosphatase and Mating or Cell Integrity Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Lorena Palacios,Robin J Dickinson,Almudena Sacristán-Reviriego,Mark P Didmon,María José Marín,Humberto Martín,Stephen M Keyse,María Molina

doi:10.1074/jbc.m111.286948

Abstract

MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) are negative regulators of signaling pathways with distinct MAPK substrate specificities. For example, the yeast dual specificity phosphatase Msg5 dephosphorylates the Fus3 and Slt2 MAPKs operating in the mating and cell wall integrity pathways, respectively. Like other MAPK-interacting proteins, most MKPs bind MAPKs through specific docking domains. These include D-motifs, which contain basic residues that interact with acidic residues in the common docking (CD) domain of MAPKs. Here we show that Msg5 interacts not only with Fus3, Kss1, and Slt2 but also with the pseudokinase Slt2 paralog Mlp1. Using yeast two-hybrid and in vitro interaction assays, we have identified distinct regions within the N-terminal domain of Msg5 that differentially bind either the MAPKs Fus3 and Kss1 or Slt2 and Mlp1. Whereas a canonical D-site within Msg5 mediates interaction with the CD domains of Fus3 and Kss1, a novel motif ((102)IYT(104)) within Msg5 is involved in binding to Slt2 and Mlp1. Furthermore, mutation of this site prevents the phosphorylation of Msg5 by Slt2. This motif is conserved in Sdp1, another MKP that dephosphorylates Slt2, as well as in Msg5 orthologs from other yeast species. A region spanning amino acids 274-373 within Slt2 and Mlp1 mediates binding to this Msg5 motif in a CD domain-independent manner. In contrast, Slt2 uses its CD domain to bind to its upstream activator Mkk1. This binding flexibility may allow MAPK pathways to exploit additional regulatory controls in order to provide fine modulation of both pathway activity and specificity.

Highlights

Dual specificity protein phosphatases (DSPs) bind Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) through specific interaction motifs
We have recently shown that this MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) is able to interact with Fus[3] and Slt[2] and with Kss[1], a MAPK whose phosphorylation is not down-regulated by Msg[5] (25)
We provide evidence indicating that, as is the case in other MAPK pathways, the common docking (CD) domain of Slt[2] mediates binding to its activator Mkk[1], whereas a CD-proximal region containing the conserved MAPK L16 loop is involved in binding to the negative regulator Msg[5] in a CD domain-independent fashion

Summary

Background

Dual specificity protein phosphatases (DSPs) bind MAPKs through specific interaction motifs. Like other MAPKinteracting proteins, most MKPs bind MAPKs through specific docking domains These include D-motifs, which contain basic residues that interact with acidic residues in the common docking (CD) domain of MAPKs. Here we show that Msg[5] interacts with Fus[3], Kss[1], and Slt[2] and with the pseudokinase Slt[2] paralog Mlp[1]. D domain-dependent mechanisms participate in the binding to mating (Fus[3] and Kss1) MAPKs. In contrast, a novel motif of Msg[5] is involved in the interaction with the cell wall integrity (Slt[2] and Mlp1) kinases. We provide evidence indicating that, as is the case in other MAPK pathways, the CD domain of Slt[2] mediates binding to its activator Mkk[1], whereas a CD-proximal region containing the conserved MAPK L16 loop is involved in binding to the negative regulator Msg[5] in a CD domain-independent fashion

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

RESULTS

DISCUSSION