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. 2004 Nov 2;7(1):5–12. doi: 10.1186/bcr961

p21-activated kinase signaling in breast cancer

Anupama E Gururaj 1, Suresh K Rayala 1, Rakesh Kumar 1,✉
PMCID: PMC1064107  PMID: 15642175

Abstract

The p21-activated kinases signal through a number of cellular pathways fundamental to growth, differentiation and apoptosis. A wealth of information has accumulated at an impressive pace in the recent past, both with regard to previously identified targets for p21-activated kinases that regulate the actin cytoskeleton and cellular stress pathways and with regard to newly identified targets and their role in cancer. Emerging data also provide new clues towards a previously unappreciated link between these various cellular processes. The present review attempts to provide a quick tutorial to the reader about the evolving significance of p21-activated kinases and small GTPases in breast cancer, using information from mouse models, tissue culture studies, and human materials.

Keywords: breast cancer, hormone independence, mouse model, p21-activated kinase, Rho GTPase

Introduction

Tumor progression involves the transition of normal cells into malignant cells through a series of cumulative alterations. Invasive and migratory properties are acquired during this process, enabling cells to metastasize (travel to and grow in tissues far from their origin). Cell proliferation, cell motility, and cell survival are regulated by multiple factors, and the changes that occur in cancer cells are the result of multiple alterations in the cellular signaling machinery. Successful cell migration depends on the regulation of the timing of movement, the guidance of motile cells, and the cytoskeletal and adhesive characteristic changes within the cells.

The actin cytoskeleton is the primary determinant of cell shape and motility. The small Rho (p21) GTPases (Rho, Rac, and Cdc42) have been implicated in multiple steps during cellular transformation, including regulation of cytoskeletal reorganization and gene expression [1]. These p21s mediate growth factor-induced morphological changes that involve actin-based cellular structures. Rho mediates the formation of cytoskeletal stress fibers and focal adhesion, Rac mediates the formation of membrane ruffles and lamellipodia, and Cdc42 mediates the formation of peripheral filopodia and actin microspikes [1]. Many upstream regulators and downstream effectors of these small GTPases have been isolated, and their modes of activation and action have gradually been elucidated.

Mammalian kinases that bind to the GTP-bound forms of Rho p21s have been identified. These kinases include the evolutionarily conserved p21-activated serine/threonine kinase (PAK), which is stimulated by binding to Cdc42 and Rac, and the Rho-binding serine/threonine kinase. In the present review, we briefly summarize the progress made in understanding the PAK-family-induced biological function in breast cancer cells (Fig. 1). Comprehensive information on PAK family biology, signaling, and regulation is available in recent reviews [2-5].

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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p21-activated kinase (PAK) as a signaling nodule in breast cancer cells. Mechanisms of PAK activation and downstream physiological effects of PAKs are indicated, emphasizing the multiple functions of PAKs in cells. PAKs act upstream of several effectors. The effectors and the outcomes they influence are shown in this schematic. DLC1, dynein light chain 1; ER, estrogen receptor; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; PGAM, phosphoglyceraldehyde mutase; PGM, phosphoglucomutase; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.

The PAK family

Pak1, the first of the PAK family members to be discovered, was originally cloned from brain tissue as a p21-interacting kinase that was homologous to yeast Ste20 [6]. Subsequent identification of five other family members indicated that this family of protein kinases is highly conserved throughout evolution in a variety of organisms. Although members of this family share significant homology at the amino acid level, specifically in the kinase domain, the biological function of each member is distinct and is dictated by the variable N-terminal regulatory domain [2].

Although all PAKs interact with GTPases, not all PAKs are activated by such interaction. GTPase induces activity of Pak1–Pak3, whereas binding of GTPases to Pak4–Pak6 does not lead to their activation [5]. Lipids can activate Pak1 either directly or via phosphorylated 3-phospho-inositide-dependent kinase 1 [3]. In addition, PAKs can be phosphorylated on various residues by both serine/ threonine kinases like Akt and Cdk5, and also by tyrosine kinases such as Ab1 and Etk/Bmx [7,8]. Interestingly, the consensus sequence for Pak1 was deduced based on the sequence similarity of Pak1 to the catalytic domain of myosin 1 heavy chain kinase. Phosphorylation of synthetic substrates containing the consensus phosphorylation site sequence of myosin 1 heavy chain kinase indicated that Pak1 also had the same consensus sequence [9]. Activated PAK proteins phosphorylate a variety of substrates on serine/threonine residues, preferably in the context of basic residues such as K/R, R/X, X, and S/T, to bring about cell survival and migration, cytoskeleton remodeling, and gene regulation. Table 1 presents a list of known PAK substrates along with the phosphorylation site sequences. The role of the PAK family members in cytoskeletal dynamics is well documented [4]. In addition to playing a role in cytoskeletal changes, PAKs act as nodal kinases that activate downstream signaling cascades like mitogen-activated protein kinases, JunN N-terminal kinase, and NF-κB to bring about a plethora of cellular responses [2,10].

Table 1.

Known PAK substrates with their phosphorylation sequence

Substrate Phosphorylation sequence Reference
LIMK KRYT [62]
Myosin II light chain RATS [63]
Myosin II light chain kinase GRLS, RPKS [64,65]
Synapsin RXXS [66]
Caldesmon NIKS, GVSS [67,68]
Op18/stathmin KRAS [69]
Merlin KRLS [20]
Filamin A RAPS [70]
Raf-1 QRDS [71]
MEK-1 RPLS [72]
p47phox RRNS [73]
Bad RHSS, RSRS [7,74]
Estrogen receptor KKNS [25]
GEF-H1 RRRS [11]
G z ARRS [75]
Phosphoglycerate mutase-B NRFS, WRRS [76]
Prolactin RRDS [77]
RhoGDI KKQS [78]
Desmin KRAS [67]
Vimentin SSS, RPSS, LRSS, TTS [79]
Histone 3 ARKS [42]
C-terminal binding protein 1 RVQS [35]
Dynein light chain 1 FKS [38]
P41 ARC KDRT [80]
Phosphoglucomutase KVYT [47]
STAT5a ARLS [23]
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PAKs in cancer

Emerging evidence suggests that PAK family members play an important role in cell survival, motility, angiogenesis, and gene regulation – and thus the PAK family may constitute a critical signaling nodule during tumor progression. Early studies indicated that a dominant-negative PAK mutant inhibits transformation of murine fibroblasts transformed with several oncogenes including Ras, Rac1, Cdc42, or Vav3 [11-13]. Pak1 expression was also increased during malignant progression of human colorectal carcinoma [14]. Recent findings also strongly indicate that Pak1 activation is necessary for lysophosphatidic acid-induced and autotoxin-induced cell motility in melanoma cells [15]. Furthermore, Pak1 activity was found to be higher in tumor tissues as compared with their normal counterparts in head and neck tumors [16]. It has also been demonstrated that transformation by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus, which induces Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphomas, requires the activation of Pak1 [17]. Results from a large, combined comparative genomic hybridization array and tissue microarray analysis have also identified PAK1 as an overamplified critical oncogene target with a positive correlation with cyclin D1 in ovarian carcinomas [18].

In another work, Callow and colleagues [19] analyzed the roles of Pak4 and Pak6 in human tumorigenesis. In a panel of cell lines derived from leukemias, melanomas, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, ovarian cancer, and renal cancer, Pak4 was found to be overexpressed compared with the expression in normal control tissue in 78% of samples. The authors found that the Pak4 gene localizes at a region of chromosome 19 that is commonly amplified in a number of human pancreatic tumors, colon tumors, and ovarian tumors [19]. In addition, an activated allele of Pak4 had transforming potential while an inactive Pak4 mutant blocked Ras-dependent anchorage independent growth, further strengthening the role of Pak4 in tumorigenesis [19].

The status of PAK, possibly Pak2, could also affect the pathophysiology of the neurofibromatosis type 2 patients. The neurofibromatosis type 2 tumor-suppressor gene product Merlin is mutated in the germline of neurofibromatosis type 2 patients and predisposes affected individuals to intracranial and spinal tumors. In an elegant investigation, Merlin was demonstrated to be phosphorylated by PAK at Ser518, a site that affects Merlin activity and localization [20]. Conversely, Merlin inhibited Pak1 activation and recruitment to focal adhesions. The absence of Merlin resulted in inappropriate activation of Pak1, providing a possible mechanism for effects seen accompanying loss of Merlin expression in tumorigenesis [21]. Pak2 was recently demonstrated to be a negative regulator of myc protein, suggesting that Pak2 could potentially be used for therapy to inhibit myc-induced neoplasia [22].

Mouse mammary gland PAK models

Pak1 expression is activated in mammary glands in a development-dependent manner, with the highest activity during pregnancy and lactation [23]. Clues about the role of Pak1 in the mammary gland came from a recent transgenic model expressing a kinase dead Pak1 mutant. Inactivation of Pak1 led to incomplete lobulo-alveolar development and impaired functional differentiation (Fig. 2a). Interestingly, Pak1 directly interacted with and phosphorylated Stat5a at Ser779, which was substantially reduced in transgenic mammary glands, suggesting a role for Pak1 during alveolar morphogenesis and differentiation [23]. Pak1 expression and activation has also been linked with epithelial differentiation during rodent development [24]. In contrast, persistent activation of Pak1 in mammary epithelium was accompanied by widespread hyperplasia, lobulo-alveolar hyperdevelopment during lactation, and stimulation of the estrogen receptor (ER) target genes [25]. In addition to Pak1, overexpression of the Rac3 transgene, an upstream activator of Pak1, in mammary epithelium impaired the normal physiology and led to the formation of mammary gland lesions [26].

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Known phenotypic changes in mammary epithelium and breast cancer. (a) Overactivation of p21-activated kinase Pak1 in mouse mammary gland induced hyperplasia. While the wild-type (WT) mouse mammary gland has only one single layer of cells (left panel), the mammary gland of the Pak1-TG mice reveals many layers of cells protruding into the lumen of alveoli (right panel). (b) Immunohistochemical detection of Pak1 in normal and breast tumor sections. Left panel, normal section showing weak cytoplasmic Pak1 expression; right panel, tumor section showing an intense cytoplasmic staining compared with the normal section.

PAK signaling in breast cancer

Since Pak1 was originally thought to be involved in directional cell motility, and because cell motility is important for productive metastasis, we initially set out to search for the role of Pak1 in breast cancer, and discovered a definitive role of Pak1 in HER2-mediated increased invasiveness [10]. Subsequent studies suggested a positive correlation between the expression and activity of Pak1 and the invasiveness of human breast cancer cells and breast tumor grades (Fig. 2b) [27,28]. The expression of Pak1 in human breast tumor tissue correlates with the tumor grade, with higher expression in less differentiated ductal carcinomas of the breast (grade III tumors) than in grade II and grade I tumors [29]. Since Pak1 is downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI-3) kinase and PI-3 kinase is negatively regulated by phosphatase and tensin homolog, some of the high Pak1 activity might result from phosphatase and tensin homolog inactivation, as has been shown in 11 resected breast tumors with phosphatase and tensin homolog mutations [29]. Inhibition of Pak1 using kinase-dead Pak1-K299R in highly invasive MDA-MB435 breast cancer cells was associated with excessive cell spreading and accumulation of mature focal points [30]. A recent study showed that constitutively activated endogenous PAK is mislocalized to atypical focal adhesions in the absence of high levels of activated Rho GTPases [28]. These studies emphasize the involvement of PAKs in breast cancer genesis and metastasis.

PAK, a major nodule of growth factor signaling

Aberrant growth factor signaling is one of the hallmarks of cancer. The acquisition of an invasive phenotype by human breast cancer cells has also been attributed to the stimulation by growth factor signaling. Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2 and HER3 expression and activity have been shown to correlate with breast cancer progression and prognosis [31]. In breast cancer cells, Pak1 activity increased in response to heregulin in a PI-3 kinase-dependent manner. Inhibition of HER2 using herceptin resulted in the blockade of both PI-3 kinase/PAK activation and the formation of actin structures, further confirming the involvement of Pak1 in cytoskeletal rearrangements [10].

Highly proliferative human breast cancer-derived cell lines and tumor tissues have also been shown to contain hyperactive Rac3 and hyperactive Pak1 and Pak2 [32]. Validation experiments with dominant-negative PAK mutants revealed the critical significance of the Rac3–PAK pathway for DNA synthesis and tumor growth [32]. The PI-3 kinase/Pak1/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has also been shown to be hyper-activated in breast tumors, and PI-3 kinase and Pak1 are co-overexpressed in breast tumors [29].

In addition to Pak1 activation by deregulated growth factors, PAK signaling could also be stimulated by its upstream activators. For example, high Rac1b expression has been reported in ductal carcinoma in situ, in primary breast cancer, and in lymph node metastases, as compared with benign breast disease. Since many of these patients with recurrent disease exhibited intense Rac1b expression at the plasma membrane, it is possible that Rac1b, and hence its effector PAK, might be constitutively activated in patients with aggressive breast cancer [33]. Similarly, PAK interacting exchange factor (betaPix), an activator of Cdc42/Rac and PAK kinase activity, was also found to increase membrane ruffling and to upregulate in human breast cancer tissues [34].

Recent studies also demonstrate that Pak1 phosphorylates and blocks the corepressor functions of the C-terminal binding protein 1 in growth-factor-activated breast cancer cells [35]. C-terminal binding protein 1 links the recruitment of DNA-modifying and histone-modifying proteins to sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins, and facilitates gene regulation during development and oncogenesis. C-terminal binding protein 1 phosphorylation and inactivation by Pak1 may induce putative genes by derepression [35]. It may thus be concluded that aberrant mitogenic signaling in human breast cancers involve both upstream modulators and downstream effectors of PAKs.

PAK regulation of cancerous phenotypes

The expression of a catalytically active Pak1 mutant stimulates anchorage-independent growth of breast cancer cells in soft agar through a preferential MAPK-sensitive manner [30]. Interestingly, inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) also promotes anchorage-independent stimulation of the MAPK cascade by growth factors via PAK [36]. However, PKA has also been shown to positively regulate Rac1 in growth-factor-activated cells [37]. It is clear that Pak1-associated cancerous phenotypes could result from the functional dysregulation of specific PAK substrates. For example, recent data showed that dynein light chain 1 (DLC1), a component of the dynein motor, is a physiological Pak1-interacting substrate, and that Pak1 phosphorylation of DLC1 at Ser88 plays a critical role in supporting the growth of breast cancer cells in an anchorage-independent manner and in nude mice [38]. Furthermore, DLC1 was dysregulated in breast cancer samples, and approximately one-half of the tumors had increased expression of both Pak1 and DLC1 [38].

PAK and the cell cycle

In lower eukaryotes, Pak1 homologs were demonstrated to be important in cell cycle events including mitosis, cytokinesis, and microtubule stabilization [39]. Initial clues about the role of Pak1 in mammalian cell division came from studies defining regulated phosphorylation of Pak1 in fibroblasts and neuronal cells [40,41]. In these studies, phosphorylation of Pak1 was implicated in cell-cycle regulation and was shown to affect microtubules in cells undergoing mitosis. Further support for a definitive role for Pak1 in the development of chromosomal abnormalities came from studies where breast cancer cells over-expressing activated Pak1 exhibited abnormal organization of mitotic spindles [30].

An unexpected function for Pak1 in mitotic cells was revealed when Histone H3 was identified as a Pak1 substrate [42]. Pak1 phosphorylates Histone H3.3 on Ser10, a post-translational modification of Histone H3 that has been linked with regulation of mitotic chromosomal assembly, with congregation at the metaphase plate, and with segregation [42]. The results of this study have fascinating implications with respect to the role played by Pak1 in its activated state (as observed in most cancer cells) on cellular events responsible for incorrect DNA ploidy of tumor cells. Another study suggested that cyclin B1/Cdc2 phosphorylates Pak1 in cells undergoing mitosis [41]. It could thus be speculated that abnormal segregation of chromosomes during mitosis in tumor cells results, at least in part, from persistent activation of Pak1 in these cells.

Anti-apoptotic action of PAKs and its effectors

PAKs promote cell proliferation and survival, presumably by phosphorylating and inhibiting the pro-apoptotic protein Bad, caspase-3, caspase-8, and FKHR [43-45]. Phosphorylated Bad demonstrates reduced interaction with Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and demonstrates increased interaction with 14-3-3 tau. Pak1 activation, and resulting inactivation of Bad, is also sufficient to antagonize p38 MAPK as well as its upstream activator MKK6-induced cell death [46]. In addition, Pak1 utilizes its newly identified substrate, the DLC1, to confer enhanced cell survival in breast cancer cells, through a mechanism dependent on Pak1's phosphorylation of DLC1 on Ser88. Of specific interest is the Pak1-regulated interaction of DLC1 with BimL, a BH3-only domain pro-apoptotic protein. It was shown that Pak1 antiapoptotic function derive, in part, from its recognition of DLC1-BimL dimers, which are released upon apoptotic signals from the dynein motors. Pak1 phosphorylation of both DLC1 and BimL prevents the ability of BimL to interact and inactivate Bcl-2 [38]. Since cell survival function is dependent on efficient energy utilization, PAK signaling has now been linked with components of the glycolytic pathway, phosphoglyceraldehyde mutase (reviewed in [2]) and phosphoglucomutase [47].

PAK in angiogenesis

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels, is heavily implicated in tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the major players in the process of angiogenesis. Pak1 signaling is required for VEGF expression and, consequently, for VEGF function [48]. In addition, VEGF also signals via Pak1 to bring about its downstream effects [49]. Specific involvement of Pak1 was confirmed by inhibition of endothelial cell migration by both dominant-negative Pak1 and an N-terminal proline-rich Pak1 peptide [50]. Furthermore, heregulin was shown to upregulate the synthesis of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, a director activator of VEGF [51]. Since HER2 as well as Pak1 are known to induce VEGF expression, and because HER2 signaling stimulates Pak1 activity [10], these findings suggest that HER2 activation by growth factors stimulates VEGF expression, presumably via hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha. Recent studies also indicate that the Rac/PAK pathway is essential for ephrin A1-mediated inhibition of cell spreading that participates in blood vessel destabilization, a prerequisite for angiogenesis [52]. These results further suggest a role for Pak1 in angiogenesis. In contrast, microtubule depolymerization by agents like vinblastine induced cleavage of Pak2 along with procaspases, leading to the collapse of the capillary tube network and endothelial cell apoptosis [53]. This is an example of distinct functions exhibited by different members of the PAK family in the cell.

PAK in ER signaling

Human breast cancers and the cell models derived from them can be classified into those that are steroid hormone dependent and those that grow independent of estradiol. An effect of Pak1, which is important for hormone-dependent breast cancer, is its ability to phosphorylate the ER either directly or indirectly. Wang and colleagues demonstrated that Pak1 phosphorylates the ER at Ser305 and promotes its transactivation (Fig. 3) [25]. Furthermore, transgenic mice that express kinase-active Pak1 develop hyperplasia in the mammary epithelium and have increased expression of ER target genes [23]. In highly metastatic ER-positive breast carcinomas, the locus to which PAK has been mapped, 11q13, is amplified [54]. Steroid hormone-independent subtypes often utilize pathways involving peptide hormones or growth factor. Since Pak1 could be activated by growth factor signaling, these findings imply that Pak1 might regulate the ER pathway in ligand-independent phenotypes.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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A schematic model of p21-activated kinase (PAK) action in the absence of estrogen in breast cancer cells. A simplified summary of the cellular events in which regulation of cancer-related events by PAKs has been implicated. Both the N-termini and C-termini of PAK can interact with various signaling components and thus promote specific changes required for cells to acquire a cancerous and metastatic phenotype. Broken lines, proposed regulation. ER, estrogen receptor; PKA, protein kinase A.

The consensus phosphorylation motif in the PAK substrates is not very restricted and is common with other kinases such as ribosomal S6 kinase [55] and PKA [36]. Consistent with this hypothesis, a recent report showed that PKA phosphorylation of the ER at Ser305 induces resistance to tamoxifen [56]. Since the downstream effects of PKA could be blocked by dominant-negative Rac1 [37], and because Rac1 is a direct activator of Pak1, it is tempting to speculate that Pak1 could be downstream of PKA in affecting the function of the ER. Current studies are testing this model (S Rayala, R Kumar, unpublished data). Regardless of the upstream signaling cascades involved, it is increasingly clear that ER phosphorylation at Ser305 represents an important modification for ligand independence and/or tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells.

ER activation by Pak1 also induces upregulation of cyclin D1 in breast cancer cells, as well as in the mammary epithelium [57]. In addition, Pak1 could also upregulate cyclin D1 expression in an ER-independent, but NF-κB-dependent, manner [57]. In addition, Pak1 has also been implicated in the induction of cyclin D1 as well as in the development of resistance to AND34/BCAR3, an upstream activator of Pak1 [58]. These findings suggest that Pak1 could potentially regulate cyclin D1 expression in both ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells (Fig. 3). Another of the PAK family members known to interact with nuclear receptors is Pak6, which interacts with ER; 4-hydroxytamoxifen enhances their interaction [59]. The ability of PAK members to interact with steroid hormonal receptors suggests that PAKs may play an important role in the cross-talk between steroid hormone receptors and growth factor signaling pathways.

Therapeutic implication of PAK research

Since PAK signaling is important in the process of tumorigenesis, any interference with PAK and/or one of its critical downstream substrates may be a useful therapeutic approach. Use of dominant-negative expression plasmids of Pak1 controls the metastasis of a number of types of tumor cells [10,39]. Because Pak1 is a pro-survival signal in cells, interfering with its activity and signaling should induce apoptosis in tumors, leading to tumor regression. Nheu and colleagues [60] have recently developed a first generation of compounds that target the activity of PAKs. Two synthetic derivatives of an adenosine triphosphate antagonist, CEP-1347 and KT D606, target PAKs and inhibit the growth of transformed murine fibroblasts. The recent elucidation of the Pak1 crystal structure [61] should aid the development of specific Pak1 inhibitors. A recent study identified a small peptide that can interfere with Nck binding to Pak1, which can interfere with angiogenesis [48], suggesting that small molecule interference of PAK interaction with its binding proteins may have some therapeutic value.

Since Pak1 represents a common convergence nodule of receptor tyrosine kinases, PI-3 kinase–AKT, Ras, small GTPases, and lipid signaling, the impact of Pak1 signaling on the biology of cancer cells is not limited to breast cancer (with the exception of ER regulation). Hence, lessons from breast cancer model systems are applicable to other cancer types and should aid in the development of targeted anticancer therapies.

Abbreviations

DLC1 = dynein light chain 1; ER = estrogen receptor; HER = human epidermal growth factor receptor; MAPK = mitogen-activated protein kinase; NF = nuclear factor; PAK = p21-activated serine/threonine kinase; PI-3 = phosphatidylinositol 3; PKA = protein kinase A; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor.

Competing interests

The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgements

The work in the Kumar laboratory is supported by National Institute of Health grant CA90970 and grant CA80066 (to RK). The authors thank the members of the laboratory for useful discussions. The authors apologize to several of their colleagues for not citing their primary references owing to space limitation.

Contributor Information

Anupama E Gururaj, Email: aegururaj@mdanderson.org.

Suresh K Rayala, Email: srayala@mdanderson.org.

Rakesh Kumar, Email: rkumar@mdanderson.org.

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