Myotonic Dystrophy Kinase-Related Cdc42-Binding Kinase Acts as a Cdc42 Effector in Promoting Cytoskeletal Reorganization

The Rho GTPases play distinctive roles in cytoskeletal reorganization associated with growth and differentiation. The Cdc42/Rac-binding p21-activated kinase (PAK) and Rho-binding kinase (ROK) act as morphological effectors for these GTPases. We have isolated two related novel brain kinases whose p21-binding domains resemble that of PAK whereas the kinase domains resemble that of myotonic dystrophy kinase-related ROK. These ∼190-kDa myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinases (MRCKs) preferentially phosphorylate nonmuscle myosin light chain at serine 19, which is known to be crucial for activating actin-myosin contractility. The p21-binding domain binds GTP-Cdc42 but not GDP-Cdc42. The multidomain structure includes a cysteine-rich motif resembling those of protein kinase C and n-chimaerin and a putative pleckstrin homology domain. MRCKα and Cdc42(V12) colocalize, particularly at the cell periphery in transfected HeLa cells. Microinjection of plasmid encoding MRCKα resulted in actin and myosin reorganization. Expression of kinase-dead MRCKα blocked Cdc42(V12)-dependent formation of focal complexes and peripheral microspikes. This was not due to possible sequestration of the p21, as a kinase-dead MRCKα mutant defective in Cdc42 binding was an equally effective blocker. Coinjection of MRCKα plasmid with Cdc42 plasmid, at concentrations where Cdc42 plasmid by itself elicited no effect, led to the formation of the peripheral structures associated with a Cdc42-induced morphological phenotype. These Cdc42-type effects were not promoted upon coinjection with plasmids of kinase-dead or Cdc42-binding-deficient MRCKα mutants. These results suggest that MRCKα may act as a downstream effector of Cdc42 in cytoskeletal reorganization.