STRAP Acts as a Scaffolding Protein in Controlling the TLR2/4 Signaling Pathway

Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 9:6:38849. doi: 10.1038/srep38849.

Abstract

The WD40-repeat protein serine/threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) is involved in the regulation of several biological processes, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, in response to various stresses. Here, we show that STRAP is a new scaffold protein that functions in Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated immune responses. STRAP specifically binds transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and IκB kinase alpha (IKKα) along with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) subunit p65, leading to enhanced association between TAK1, IKKα, and p65, and subsequent facilitation of p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Consequently, the depletion of STRAP severely impairs interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL-1β production, whereas its overexpression causes a significant increase in the secretion of these pro-inflammatory cytokines by TLR2 or TLR4 agonist-stimulated macrophages. Notably, STRAP translocates to the nucleus and subsequently binds to NF-κB at later times after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, resulting in prolonged IL-6 mRNA production. Moreover, the C-terminal region of STRAP is essential for its functional activity in facilitating IL-6 production. Collectively, these observations suggest that STRAP acts as a scaffold protein that positively contributes to innate host defenses against pathogen infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / chemistry
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Fibroblasts
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-1beta / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Domains
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / physiology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / physiology*
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • IL1B protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Rela protein, mouse
  • STRAP protein, mouse
  • Tlr2 protein, mouse
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • interleukin-6, mouse
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • MAP kinase kinase kinase 7