Inactivation of Smad-Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling by Ca ²⁺ -Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II

Abstract

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family transduce signals through Smad proteins. Smad signaling can be regulated by the Ras/Erk/mitogen-activated protein pathway in response to receptor tyrosine kinase activation and the gamma interferon pathway and also by the functional interaction of Smad2 with Ca(2+)-calmodulin. Here we report that Smad-TGF-beta-dependent transcriptional responses are prevented by expression of a constitutively activated Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Cam kinase II). Smad2 is a target substrate for Cam kinase II in vitro at serine-110, -240, and -260. Cam kinase II induces in vivo phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad4 and, to a lesser extent, Smad3. A phosphopeptide antiserum raised against Smad2 phosphoserine-240 reacted with Smad2 in vivo when coexpressed with Cam kinase II and by activation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor, HER2 (c-erbB2), and the TGF-beta receptor. Furthermore, Cam kinase II blocked nuclear accumulation of a Smad2 and induced Smad2-Smad4 hetero-oligomerization independently of TGF-beta receptor activation, while preventing TGF-beta-dependent Smad2-Smad3 interactions. These findings provide a novel cross-talk mechanism by which Ca(2+)-dependent kinases activated downstream of multiple growth factor receptors antagonize cell responses to TGF-beta.