Phosphorylation of plant actin-depolymerising factor by calmodulin-like domain protein kinase
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2026

Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes
Published on: February 22, 2014
E G Allwood1, A P Smertenko, P J Hussey
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, DH1 3LE, Durham, UK.
Abstract:
The actin-depolymerising factor (ADF)/cofilin group of proteins are stimulus-responsive actin-severing proteins, members of which are regulated by reversible phosphorylation. The phosphorylation site on the maize ADF, ZmADF3, is Ser-6 but the kinase responsible is unknown [Smertenko et al., Plant J. 14 (1998) 187-193]. We have partially purified the ADF kinase(s) and found it to be calcium-regulated and inhibited by N-(6-aminohexyl)-[(3)H]5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulphonamide. Immunoblotting reveals that calmodulin-like domain protein kinase(s) (CDPK) are enriched in the purified preparation and addition of anti-CDPK to in vitro phosphorylation assays results in the inhibition of ADF phosphorylation. These data strongly suggest that plant ADF is phosphorylated by CDPK(s), a class of protein kinases unique to plants and protozoa.
Related Concept Videos
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Actin Filament Depolymerization
In F-actin, the ADF/cofilin proteins...
Phosphorylation
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...
Phosphorylation
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...
Generation of Straight or Branched Actin Filaments
Arp2/3 Complex
Arp2/3 complex is a seven-subunit complex consisting of two proteins similar to actin- Arp2 and Arp3, and five other subunits that help keep Arp2 and Arp3 inactive. When required, the complex is...
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...

