Characterization of A-kinase-anchoring disruptors using a solution-based assay

Subcellular localization of PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase A) is determined by protein–protein interactions between its R (regulatory) subunits and AKAPs (A-kinase-anchoring proteins). In the present paper, we report the development of the Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay (AlphaScreen™) as a means to characterize AKAP-based peptide competitors of PKA anchoring. In this assay, the prototypic anchoring disruptor Ht31 efficiently competed in RIIα isoform binding with RII-specific and dual-specificity AKAPs (IC₅₀ values of 1.4±0.2 nM and 6±1 nM respectively). In contrast, RIα isoform binding to a dual-specific AKAP was less efficiently competed (IC₅₀ of 156±10 nM). Characterization of two RI-selective anchoring disruptors, RIAD (RI-anchoring disruptor) and PV-38 revealed that RIAD (IC₅₀ of 13±1 nM) was 20-fold more potent than PV-38 (IC₅₀ of 304±17 nM) and did not compete in the RIIα–AKAP interaction. We also observed that the kinetics of RII displacement from pre-formed PKA–AKAP complexes and competition of RII–AKAP complex formation by Ht31 differed by an order of magnitude when the component parts were mixed in vitro. No such difference in potency was seen for RIα–AKAP complexes. Thus the AlphaScreen assay may prove to be a valuable tool for detailed characterization of a variety of PKA–AKAP complexes.