Inference of Multisite Phosphorylation Rate Constants and Their Modulation by Pathogenic Mutations. Author Eyan Yeung, Sarah McFann, Lewis Marsh, Emilie Dufresne, Sarah Filippi, Heather Harrington, Stanislav Shvartsman, Martin Wühr Publication Year 2020 Type Journal Article Abstract Multisite protein phosphorylation plays a critical role in cell regulation [1-3]. It is widely appreciated that the functional capabilities of multisite phosphorylation depend on the order and kinetics of phosphorylation steps, but kinetic aspects of multisite phosphorylation remain poorly understood [4-6]. Here, we focus on what appears to be the simplest scenario, when a protein is phosphorylated on only two sites in a strict, well-defined order. This scenario describes the activation of ERK, a highly conserved cell-signaling enzyme. We use Bayesian parameter inference in a structurally identifiable kinetic model to dissect dual phosphorylation of ERK by MEK, a kinase that is mutated in a large number of human diseases [7-12]. Our results reveal how enzyme processivity and efficiencies of individual phosphorylation steps are altered by pathogenic mutations. The presented approach, which connects specific mutations to kinetic parameters of multisite phosphorylation mechanisms, provides a systematic framework for closing the gap between studies with purified enzymes and their effects in the living organism. Keywords Animals, Humans, Models, Biological, Mutation, Phosphorylation, Rats, Cell Cycle, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases Journal Curr Biol Volume 30 Issue 5 Pages 877-882.e6 Date Published 2020 Mar 09 ISSN Number 1879-0445 DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2019.12.052 Alternate Journal Curr Biol PMCID PMC7085240 PMID 32059766 PubMedPubMed CentralGoogle ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML