OTUD7B controls non-canonical NF-κB activation through deubiquitination of TRAF3

Nature. 2013 Feb 21;494(7437):371-4. doi: 10.1038/nature11831. Epub 2013 Jan 20.

Abstract

The non-canonical NF-κB pathway forms a major arm of NF-κB signalling that mediates important biological functions, including lymphoid organogenesis, B-lymphocyte function, and cell growth and survival. Activation of the non-canonical NF-κB pathway involves degradation of an inhibitory protein, TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3), but how this signalling event is controlled is still unknown. Here we have identified the deubiquitinase OTUD7B as a pivotal regulator of the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. OTUD7B deficiency in mice has no appreciable effect on canonical NF-κB activation but causes hyperactivation of non-canonical NF-κB. In response to non-canonical NF-κB stimuli, OTUD7B binds and deubiquitinates TRAF3, thereby inhibiting TRAF3 proteolysis and preventing aberrant non-canonical NF-κB activation. Consequently, the OTUD7B deficiency results in B-cell hyper-responsiveness to antigens, lymphoid follicular hyperplasia in the intestinal mucosa, and elevated host-defence ability against an intestinal bacterial pathogen, Citrobacter rodentium. These findings establish OTUD7B as a crucial regulator of signal-induced non-canonical NF-κB activation and indicate a mechanism of immune regulation that involves OTUD7B-mediated deubiquitination and stabilization of TRAF3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Bacteria / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endopeptidases / deficiency
  • Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Intestines / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Proteolysis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination*

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3
  • Endopeptidases
  • Otud7b protein, mouse