Rabbit polyclonal antibody to Vimentin (phospho~S56)

Phosphorylation of Vimentin induces disassembly of Vimentin intermediate filaments in vivo and in vitro. Binding of 14~3~3 depends on Vimentin phosphorylation and requires the phosphopeptide binding domain of 14~3~3, which is an amino terminal head domain consisting of amino acids 1~96. Phosphorylated Vimentin sequesters 14~3~3 and limits its availability to other target proteins, which can affect intracellular signaling processes that require 14~3~3. The amino~terminal domain of Vimentin is the target site for several protein kinases, including Rho kinase and PKC. Ser 38 and Ser 71 of Vimentin are the major sites of phosphorylation by Rho kinase. The disruption of subcellular compartmentalization of interphase cells leads to PKC~mediated phosphorylation of Vimentin. Thus, targeting of activated PKC, coupled with the reorganization of intracellular membranes, which contain phospholipids essential for activation, leads to the mitosis~specific phosphorylation of Vimentin.