The phosphorylation of CRMPs at Ser522 allows the subsequent phosphorylation of CRMP1, CRMP2 and CRMP4 at Ser518, Thr509, and Thr514 mediated by serine/threonine kinase GSK3beta. Phosphorylation of CRMP by GSK3beta results in decreased CRMP affinity for beta-tubulin and changes in microtubule dynamics.