The endoplasmic reticulum acts as a platform for ubiquitylated components of nuclear factor κB signaling

Sci Signal. 2013 Sep 3;6(291):ra79. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.2004496.

Abstract

The innate and adaptive immune responses involve the stimulation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factors through the Lys(63) (K(63))-linked ubiquitylation of specific components of NF-κB signaling pathways. We found that ubiquitylated components of the NF-κB pathway accumulated on the cytosolic leaflet of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane after the engagement of cell-surface, proinflammatory cytokine receptors or antigen receptors. Through mass spectrometric analysis, we found that the ER-anchored protein metadherin (MTDH) was a partner for these ubiquitylated activators of NF-κB and that it directly bound to K(63)-linked polyubiquitin chains. Knockdown of MTDH inhibited the accumulation of ubiquitylated NF-κB signaling components at the ER, reduced the extent of NF-κB activation, and decreased the amount of proinflammatory cytokines produced. Our observations highlight an unexpected facet of the ER as a key subcellular gateway for NF-κB activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / physiology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / genetics
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / immunology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / physiology
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / immunology*
  • Polyubiquitin / genetics
  • Polyubiquitin / immunology*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Ubiquitination / genetics
  • Ubiquitination / immunology*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cytokines
  • MTDH protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Polyubiquitin