Functional interaction between c-Abl and the p21-activated protein kinase γ-PAK

A member of the p21-activated protein kinase (PAK) family, γ-PAK has cytostatic properties and is activated by cellular stresses such as hyperosmolarity or DNA damage. We report herein that γ-PAK is associated in vivo with the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase c-Abl. γ-PAK phosphorylates c-Abl on sites located in the kinase domain, in a region that is implicated in protein–protein interactions and in subcellular localization. Activation of γ-PAK in human embryonic kidney 293T cells by cotransfection with constitutively active Cdc42 induces activation of c-Abl, resulting in increased phosphotyrosine levels. Cotransfection of c-Abl and γ-PAK elicits phosphorylation of γ-PAK on tyrosine and down-regulation of γ-PAK activity, promoting accumulation of inactive γ-PAK. γ-PAK is also phosphorylated in vitro by c-Abl. γ-PAK activity is regulated by ubiquitination and proteolysis in vivo, as shown by immunoblotting with an anti-ubiquitin antibody in the presence of proteasome inhibitors. In summary, we describe a functional interaction between γ-PAK and c-Abl in which γ-PAK stimulates c-Abl tyrosine kinase activity and c-Abl phosphorylates and down-regulates γ-PAK, suggesting the existence of a negative feedback loop between c-Abl and γ-PAK.