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The spatial and temporal regulation of the second messenger PtdIns(4,5) P 2 has been shown to be crucial for regulating numerous processes in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Three isoforms of PIP5K1 (phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase), A, B and C, are responsible for the regulation of the major pools of cellular PtdIns(4,5) P 2 . PIP5K1B is negatively regulated in response to oxidative stress although it remains unclear which pathways regulate its activity. In the present study, we have investigated the regulation of PIP5K1B by protein phosphorylation. Using MS analysis, we identified 12 phosphorylation sites on PIP5K1B. We developed a phospho-specific antibody against Ser 413 and showed that its phosphorylation was increased in response to treatment of cells with phorbol ester, H 2 O 2 or energy restriction. Using inhibitors, we define a stress-dependent pathway that requires the activity of the cellular energy sensor AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and PKC (protein kinase C) to regulate Ser 413 phosphorylation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PKC can directly phosphorylate Ser 413 in vitro . Mutation of Ser 413 to aspartate to mimic serine phosphorylation decreased both PIP5K1B activity in vitro and PtdIns(4,5) P 2 synthesis in vivo . Our studies show that collaboration between AMPK and PKC dictates the extent of Ser 413 phosphorylation on PIP5K1B and regulates PtdIns(4,5) P 2 synthesis.

The beta-isoform of PIP4K (PtdIns5P-4-kinase) regulates the levels of nuclear PtdIns5P, which in turn modulates the acetylation of the tumour suppressor p53. The crystal structure of PIP4Kbeta demonstrated that it can form a homodimer with the two subunits arranged in opposite orientations. Using MS, isoform-specific antibodies against PIP4Ks, RNAi (RNA interference) suppression and overexpression studies, we show that PIP4Kbeta interacts in vitro and in vivo with the PIP4Kalpha isoform. As the two isoforms phosphorylate the same substrate to generate the same product, the interaction could be considered to be functionally redundant. However, contrary to expectation, we find that PIP4Kbeta has 2000-fold less activity towards PtdIns5P compared with PIP4Kalpha, and that the majority of PIP4K activity associated with PIP4Kbeta comes from its interaction with PIP4Kalpha. Furthermore, PIP4Kbeta can modulate the nuclear localization of PIP4Kalpha, and PIP4Kalpha has a role in regulating PIP4Kbeta functions. The results of the present study suggest a rationale for the functional interaction between PIP4Kalpha and PIP4Kbeta and provide insight into how the relative levels of the two enzymes may be important in their physiological and pathological roles.