As part of the genotoxic stress response, cells activate the transcription factor NF-κB. The DNA strand break sensor poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and the kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) act as proximal signal mediators. PARP-1 assembles a nucleoplasmic signalosome, which triggers PIASy-mediated IKKγ SUMOylation. ATM-dependent IKKγ phosphorylation and subsequent ubiquitination were implicated to activate the cytoplasmic IκB kinase (IKK) complex by unknown mechanisms. We show that activated ATM translocates in a calcium-dependent manner to cytosol and membrane fractions. Through a TRAF-binding motif, ATM activates TRAF6, resulting in Ubc13-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitin synthesis and cIAP1 recruitment. The ATM-TRAF6-cIAP1 module stimulates TAB2-dependent TAK1 phosphorylation. Both nuclear PARP-1- and cytoplasmic ATM-driven signaling branches converge at the IKK complex to catalyze monoubiquitination of IKKγ at K285. Our data indicate that exported SUMOylated IKKγ acts as a substrate. IKKγ monoubiquitination is a prerequisite for genotoxic IKK and NF-κB activation, but also promotes cytokine signaling.

Upon genotoxic stresses, cells activate IkappaB kinases (IKKs) and the transcription factor NF-kappaB to modulate apoptotic responses. The SUMO-1 ligase PIASy and the kinase ataxia talengiectasia mutated (ATM) have been implicated to SUMOylate and phosphorylate nuclear IKKgamma (NEMO) in a consecutive mode of action, which in turn results in activation of cytoplasmic IKK holocomplexes. However, the nuclear signals and scaffold structures that initiate IKKgamma recruitment and activation are unknown. Here, we show that poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is the DNA proximal regulator, which senses DNA strand breaks and, through poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) synthesis, assembles IKKgamma, PIASy, and ATM in a dynamic manner. Signalosome formation involves direct protein-protein interactions and binding to ADP-ribose polymers through PAR binding motifs (PARBM). Activated PARP-1 and a PARBM in PIASy are required to trigger IKKgamma SUMOylation, which in turn permits IKK and NF-kappaB activation, as well as NF-kappaB-regulated resistance to apoptosis.

Triggering of antigen receptors on lymphocytes is critical for initiating adaptive immune response against pathogens. T‐cell receptor (TCR) engagement induces the formation of the Carma1–Bcl10–Malt1 (CBM) complex that is essential for activation of the IκB kinase (IKK)/NF‐κB pathway. However, the molecular mechanisms that link CBM complex formation to IKK activation remain unclear. Here we report that Malt1 is polyubiquitinated upon T‐cell activation. Ubiquitin chains on Malt1 provide a docking surface for the recruitment of the IKK regulatory subunit NEMO/IKKγ. TRAF6 associates with Malt1 in response to T‐cell activation and can function as an E3 ligase for Malt1 in vitro and in vivo, mediating lysine 63‐linked ubiquitination of Malt1. Multiple lysine residues in the C‐terminus of Malt1 serve as acceptor sites for the assembly of polyubiquitin chains. Malt1 mutants that lack C‐terminal ubiquitin acceptor lysines are impaired in rescuing NF‐κB signaling and IL‐2 production in Malt1−/− T cells. Thus, our data demonstrate that induced Malt1 ubiquitination is critical for the engagement of CBM and IKK complexes, thereby directing TCR signals to the canonical NF‐κB pathway.