Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Live-imaging of PKC Translocation in Sf9 Cells and in Aplysia Sensory Neurons
Published on: April 6, 2011
PKC Dependent p14ARF Phosphorylation on Threonine 8 Drives Cell Proliferation
Rosa Fontana1, Daniela Guidone1, Felicia Sangermano1
1Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.
Abstract:
ARF role as tumor suppressor has been challenged in the last years by several findings of different groups ultimately showing that its functions can be strictly context dependent. We previously showed that ARF loss in HeLa cells induces spreading defects, evident as rounded morphology of depleted cells, accompanied by a decrease of phosphorylated Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) protein levels and anoikis. These data, together with previous finding that a PKC dependent signalling pathway can lead to ARF stabilization, led us to the hypothesis that ARF functions in cell proliferation might be regulated by phosphorylation. In line with this, we show here that upon spreading ARF is induced through PKC activation. A constitutive-phosphorylated ARF mutant on the conserved threonine 8 (T8D) is able to mediate both cell spreading and FAK activation. Finally, ARF-T8D expression confers growth advantage to cells thus leading to the intriguing hypothesis that ARF phosphorylation could be a mechanism through which pro-proliferative or anti proliferative signals could be transduced inside the cells in both physiological and pathological conditions.
Insights
ARF protein
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- The tumor suppressor role of ARF is context-dependent.
- ARF loss in HeLa cells causes cell spreading defects, reduced phosphorylated Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), and anoikis.
- PKC-dependent signaling stabilizes ARF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ARF phosphorylation in cell proliferation.
- To determine if ARF phosphorylation regulates cell spreading and FAK activation.
- To explore the implications of ARF phosphorylation in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Utilized HeLa cells and ARF mutants.
- Investigated ARF induction via PKC activation during cell spreading.
- Analyzed the effects of a constitutively phosphorylated ARF mutant (T8D) on cell spreading, FAK activation, and cell growth.
Main Results:
- ARF is induced upon cell spreading through PKC activation.
- A constitutively phosphorylated ARF mutant (T8D) promotes cell spreading and FAK activation.
- Expression of ARF-T8D confers a growth advantage to cells.
Conclusions:
- ARF phosphorylation, particularly at T8, is a key regulator of cell spreading and FAK activation.
- ARF phosphorylation may act as a signaling mechanism for pro- or anti-proliferative signals in physiological and pathological contexts.
- This highlights a novel mechanism for ARF's context-dependent functions in cell growth and potentially cancer.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Abnormal Proliferation
Energy to Drive Translocation
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Frequency-dependent Selection

