Mutational analyses of the SOCS proteins suggest a dual domain requirement but distinct mechanisms for inhibition of LIF and IL-6 signal transduction

EMBO J. 1999 Jan 15;18(2):375-85. doi: 10.1093/emboj/18.2.375.

Abstract

SOCS-1 (suppressor of cytokine signaling-1) is a representative of a family of negative regulators of cytokine signaling (SOCS-1 to SOCS-7 and CIS) characterized by a highly conserved C-terminal SOCS box preceded by an SH2 domain. This study comprehensively examined the ability of several SOCS family members to negatively regulate the gp130 signaling pathway. SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 inhibited both interleukin-6 (IL-6)- and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-induced macrophage differentiation of murine monocytic leukemic M1 cells and LIF induction of a Stat3-responsive reporter construct in 293T fibroblasts. Deletion of amino acids 51-78 in the N-terminal region of SOCS-1 prevented inhibition of LIF signaling. The SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 N-terminal regions were functionally interchangeable, but this did not extend to other SOCS family members. Mutation of SH2 domains abrogated the ability of both SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 to inhibit LIF signal transduction. Unlike SOCS-1, SOCS-3 was unable to inhibit JAK kinase activity in vitro, suggesting that SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 act on the JAK-STAT pathway in different ways. Thus, although inhibition of signaling by SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 requires both the SH2 and N-terminal domains, their mechanisms of action appear to be biochemically different.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Growth Inhibitors / physiology*
  • Interleukin-6 / physiology*
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
  • Lymphokines / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases*
  • Mutation*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / physiology
  • Repressor Proteins*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transcription Factors*
  • Transfection
  • Tyrosine / metabolism
  • src Homology Domains / genetics

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Interleukin-6
  • Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
  • Lif protein, mouse
  • Lymphokines
  • Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Socs1 protein, mouse
  • Socs2 protein, mouse
  • Socs3 protein, mouse
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tyrosine
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases