SRPK1 catalyzes multisite phosphorylation of SRSF1 using a directional mechanism.
Several charged residues in RRM2 interact with RS domain in SRSF1.
RRM2–RS domain interactions control directional phosphorylation.
Directional phosphorylation regulates subcellular localization of SRSF1.
Phosphorylation mechanism is tied to biological function of an SR protein.