Fig. 8

Role of nestin in cytoskeletal signaling. Contractile stimulation promotes the association of nestin with Plk1, which facilitates nestin phosphorylation at Thr-315, and renders Plk1 in active state. This nestin/Plk1 interaction forms a positive activation loop. Activated Plk1 catalyzes vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-56, which subsequently promotes the recruitment of cortactin and Pfn-1 to the membrane, actin polymerization, and smooth muscle contraction