Palmitoylation of LIM Kinase-1 ensures spine-specific actin polymerization and morphological plasticity

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.06327
• Publication Date: 2015-04-17T11:39:24Z
• Authors: Joju George; Cary Soares; Audrey Montersino; Jean-Claude Beique; Gareth M Thomas
• Keywords: Cofilin; Actin remodeling; Palmitoylation; MDia1

Precise regulation of the dendritic spine actin cytoskeleton is critical for neurodevelopment and neuronal plasticity, but how neurons spatially control dynamics not well defined. Here, we identify direct palmitoylation regulator LIM kinase-1 (LIMK1) as a novel mechanism to spine-specific dynamics. A conserved palmitoyl-motif necessary sufficient target LIMK1 spines anchor in spines. ShRNA knockdown/rescue experiments reveal that essential normal polymerization, structural plasticity long-term stability. Palmitoylation function because this modification only controls targeting, also activation by its membrane-localized upstream activator PAK. These roles spatial kinase signaling provide new insights into mechanisms strengthen links between impairments neuropathological conditions.