Sip1, the Drosophila orthologue of EBP50/NHERF1, functions with the sterile 20 family kinase Slik to regulate Moesin activity

J Cell Sci. 2010 Apr 1;123(Pt 7):1099-107. doi: 10.1242/jcs.059469. Epub 2010 Mar 9.

Abstract

Organization of the plasma membrane in polarized epithelial cells is accomplished by the specific localization of transmembrane or membrane-associated proteins, which are often linked to cytoplasmic protein complexes, including the actin cytoskeleton. In this study, we identified Sip1 as a Drosophila orthologue of the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) binding protein 50 (EBP50; also known as the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor NHERF1). In mammals, EBP50/NHERF1 is a scaffold protein required for the regulation of several transmembrane receptors and downstream signal transduction activity. In Drosophila, loss of Sip1 leads to a reduction in Slik kinase protein abundance, loss of Moesin phosphorylation and changes in epithelial structure, including mislocalization of E-cadherin and F-actin. Consistent with these findings, Moesin and Sip1 act synergistically in genetic-interaction experiments, and Sip1 protein abundance is dependent on Moesin. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that Sip1 forms a complex with both Moesin and Slik. Taken together, these data suggest that Sip1 promotes Slik-dependent phosphorylation of Moesin, and suggests a mechanism for the regulation of Moesin activity within the cell to maintain epithelial integrity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Polarity
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport
  • Septins
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / genetics

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cadherins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
  • moesin, Drosophila
  • sodium-hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Slik protein, Drosophila
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • Sep1 protein, Drosophila
  • Septins