Phosphorylation and activation of p90rsk by glycogen synthase kinase-3

Recombinant p90rsk expressed from baculovirus was found to be phosphorylated and activated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) in vitro. Phosphorylation of p90rsk by both GSK-3 alpha and GSK-3 beta isoforms was predominantly on threonine residues. Activated p90rsk, resulting from co-expression in insect cells with the oncogenic protein tyrosine kinase p60v-src, was able to phosphorylate GSK-3 but was a poor GSK-3 substrate. These results suggest a potentially novel regulatory connection in the signal transduction cascades in which p90rsk participates.