No abstract

Transforming growth factor-␤-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) plays an essential role in the tumor necrosis factor ␣ (TNF␣)-and interleukin-1␤ (IL-1␤)-induced IB kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor-B (NF-B) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/Tumor necrosis factor ␣ (TNF␣) 3 and interleukin-1␤ (IL-1␤) are two potent proinflammatory cytokines that play important roles in the regulation of immunity, inflammation, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis (1, 2). Cellular responses to TNF␣ and IL-1␤ are mediated by intracellular signaling pathways that control the activation of nuclear factor-B (NF-B) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) (3, 4).Upon binding to its receptor, TNF␣ induces formation of a receptor-associated complex, including the adaptor proteins TRADD, TRAF2, TRAF5, and RIP1, which subsequently leads to Lys 63 -linked polyubiquitination of TRAF2 and RIP1 (5-7). In contrast, IL-1␤ binding to its receptor induces a receptor-associated complex formation, including MyD88, IRAK1, IRAK4, and TRAF6, which is followed by Lys 63 -linked polyubiquitination of TRAF6 and IRAKs (8 -12). The formation of TRAF2-RIP1 and TRAF6-IRAK4 complexes as well as the Lys 63 -linked polyubiquitination of RIP1 and TRAF6 appear to enable the recruitment and activation of transforming growth factor-␤-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) through binding of the TAK1 regulatory subunits TAB2 and TAB3 to the Lys 63 -polyubiquitinated RIP1 and TRAF6. The activated TAK1 then triggers the activation of the IB kinase (IKK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK (8,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), which leads to activation of transcription factors NF-B and AP-1 and up-regulation of many genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and proteolytic enzymes (18).The IKK complex consists of three subunits: two catalytic subunits, IKK␣ and IKK␤, and an essential regulatory subunit, IKK␥/NF-B essential modulator (NEMO) (3,19). Genetic studies have implicated that IKK␤ and IKK␥/NEMO are essential for the TNF␣-and IL-1␤-mediated . Phosphorylation of serine 177 and 181 residues in the activation loop is required for IKK␤ activation (23). IKK␥/NEMO has been indicated to bind Lys 63 -linked polyubiquitin chains (7,16,24,25). It is proposed that Lys 63 -polyubiquitin chains act as a scaffold to allow for assembly of a signaling complex that leads to IKK␤ activation. Once activated, IKK␤ phosphorylates IB proteins and leads to IB polyubiquitination with a Lys 48 -linked ubiquitin chain. Polyubiquitination-mediated degradation of IBs allows NF-B to translocate into the nucleus and activate NF-B-dependent gene expression (26).JNKs are members of three related mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), JNKs, and p38 MAPKs (4, 27). JNKs and p38 MAPKs are involved in transmitting intracellular signals in

The deubiquitinase USP21 targets RIG-I for deubiquitination, thus dampening interferon production and activation of IFN-responsive genes in response to RNA viruses.