PAK4 Kinase Activity Plays a Crucial Role in the Podosome Ring of Myeloid Cells

Abstract

Summary: p21-Activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a serine/threonine kinase, is purported to localize to podosomes: transient adhesive structures that degrade the extracellular matrix to facilitate rapid myeloid cell migration. We find that treatment of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-differentiated monocytic (THP-1) cells with a PAK4-targeted inhibitor significantly reduces podosome formation and induces the formation of focal adhesions. This switch in adhesions confers a diminution of matrix degradation and reduced cell migration. Furthermore, reduced PAK4 expression causes a significant reduction in podosome number that cannot be rescued by kinase-dead PAK4, supporting a kinase-dependent role. Concomitant with PAK4 depletion, phosphorylation of Akt is perturbed, whereas a specific phospho-Akt signal is detected within the podosomes. Using superresolution analysis, we find that PAK4 specifically localizes in the podosome ring, nearer to the actin core than other ring proteins. We propose PAK4 kinase activity intersects with the Akt pathway at the podosome ring:core interface to drive regulation of macrophage podosome turnover. : The differential role of PAK family proteins in podosome function has not been previously evaluated. Foxall et al. demonstrate that PAK4 rather than PAK1 plays a pivotal role and use super resolution microscopy to position PAK4 at the podosome ring:core interface. Keywords: PAK4, podosome, adhesion, migration, superresolution microscopy, AKT