Peptides for disruption of PKA anchoring

Abstract

Adaptor or scaffolding proteins are at the basis of multiprotein complexes that spatially and temporally co-ordinate the propagation and integration of a broad range of cellular events. One class of scaffolding proteins are AKAPs (A-kinase-anchoring proteins). They sequester PKA (protein kinase A) and other signalling molecules including phosphodiesterases, other protein kinases and protein phosphatases to specific subcellular compartments. AKAP-dependent protein-protein interactions play a role in many physiologically relevant processes. For example, AKAP-PKA interactions are essential for the vasopressin-mediated water re-absorption in renal collecting duct principal cells or beta-adrenoceptor-induced increases in cardiac myocyte contractility. Here, we discuss recently developed peptide disruptors of AKAP-PKA interactions. Such peptides are valuable tools to study the relevance of PKA anchoring in cellular processes.