Chelerythrine perturbs lamellar actomyosin filaments by selective inhibition of myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinase

FEBS Lett. 2011 May 6;585(9):1260-8. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.03.054. Epub 2011 Mar 30.

Abstract

Cell movement requires forces generated by non-muscle myosin II (NM II) for coordinated protrusion and retraction. The Cdc42/Rac effector MRCK regulates a specific actomyosin network in the lamella essential for cell protrusion and migration. Together with the Rho effector ROK required for cell rear retraction, they cooperatively regulate cell motility and tumour cell invasion. Despite the increasing importance of ROK inhibitors for both experimental and clinical purposes, there is a lack of specific inhibitors for other related kinases such as MRCK. Here, we report the identification of chelerythrine chloride as a specific MRCK inhibitor. Its ability to block cellular activity of MRCK resulted in the specific loss of NM II-associated MLC phosphorylation in the lamella, and the consequential suppression of cell migration.

MeSH terms

  • Actomyosin / metabolism*
  • Amides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Benzophenanthridines / chemistry
  • Benzophenanthridines / pharmacology*
  • Biocatalysis / drug effects
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Structure
  • Myosins / metabolism
  • Myotonin-Protein Kinase
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Serine / metabolism
  • rho-Associated Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Amides
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzophenanthridines
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • MYO18A protein, human
  • Pyridines
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Y 27632
  • Serine
  • Actomyosin
  • chelerythrine
  • CDC42BPA protein, human
  • Myotonin-Protein Kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Myosins