α-Actinin is a potent regulator of G protein-coupled receptor kinase activity and substrate specificity in vitro

AbstractG protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) phosphorylate G protein-coupled receptors, thereby terminating receptor signaling. Herein we report that α-actinin potently inhibits all GRK family members. In addition, calcium-bound calmodulin and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), two regulators of GRK activity, coordinate with α-actinin to modulate substrate specificity of the GRKs. In the presence of calmodulin and α-actinin, GRK5 phosphorylates soluble, but not membrane-incorporated substrates. In contrast, in the presence of PIP2 and α-actinin, GRK5 phosphorylates membrane-incorporated, but not soluble substrates. Thus, modulation of α-actinin-mediated inhibition of GRKs by PIP2 and calmodulin has profound effects on both GRK activity and substrate specificity