Phosphorylation of trans-active response DNA-binding protein-of 43 kDa promotes its cytoplasmic aggregation and modulates its function in tau mRNA stability and exon 10 alternative splicing

Trans-active response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) promotes tau mRNA instability and tau exon 10 inclusion. Aggregation of phosphorylated TDP-43 is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Casein kinase 1 epsilon (CK1 epsilon) phosphorylates TDP-43 at multiple sites, enhances its cytoplasmic aggregation, and modulates its function in tau mRNA processing. To determine roles of TDP-43 site-specific phosphorylation in its localization, aggregation, and function in tau mRNA processing, TDP-43 was mutated to alanine or aspartic acid at Ser379, Ser403/404, or Ser409/410 to block or mimic phosphorylation. Site-specific phosphorylation of TDP-43 and its mutants by CK1 epsilon was studied in vitro and in cultured cells. Cytoplasmic and nuclear TDP-43 and phospho-TDP-43 were analyzed by western blots. Aggregation of TDP-43 was assessed by immunostaining and level of radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer-insoluble TDP-43. Green florescent protein tailed with tau 3 '-untranslated region and mini-tau gene pCI/SI9-LI10 were used to study tau mRNA stability and alternative splicing of tau exon 10. We found that phospho-blocking mutations of TDP-43 at Ser379, Ser403/404, or Ser409/410 were not effectively phosphorylated by CK1 epsilon. Compared with TDP-43, higher level of phosphorylated TDP-43 in the cytoplasm was observed. Phospho-mimicking mutations at these sites enhanced cytoplasmic aggregation of TDP-43. Green florescent protein expression was not inhibited by phospho-blocking mutants of TDP-43, but tau exon 10 inclusion was further enhanced by phospho-blocking mutations at Ser379 and Ser403/404. Phosphorylation of TDP-43 at Ser379, Ser403/404, or Ser409/410 primes its phosphorylation by CK1 epsilon, promotes TDP-43 cytoplasmic aggregation, and modulates its function in tau mRNA processing in site-specific manner.