TRAF6 is a critical mediator of signal transduction by the viral oncogene latent membrane protein 1

EMBO J. 2001 Oct 15;20(20):5678-91. doi: 10.1093/emboj/20.20.5678.

Abstract

The oncogenic latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of the Epstein-Barr virus recruits tumor necrosis factor-receptor (TNFR)-associated factors (TRAFs), the TNFR-associated death domain protein (TRADD) and JAK3 to induce intracellular signaling pathways. LMP1 serves as the prototype of a TRADD-binding receptor that transforms cells but does not induce apoptosis. Here we show that TRAF6 critically mediates LMP1 signaling to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) via a MAPK kinase 6-dependent pathway. In addition, NF-kappaB but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) induction by LMP1 involves TRAF6. The PxQxT motif of the LMP1 C-terminal activator region 1 (CTAR1) and tyrosine 384 of CTAR2 together are essential for full p38 MAPK activation and for TRAF6 recruitment to the LMP1 signaling complex. Dominant-negative TRADD blocks p38 MAPK activation by LMP1. The data suggest that entry of TRAF6 into the LMP1 complex is mediated by TRADD and TRAF2. In TRAF6-knockout fibroblasts, significant induction of p38 MAPK by LMP1 is dependent on the ectopic expression of TRAF6. We describe a novel role of TRAF6 as an essential signaling mediator of a transforming oncogene, downstream of TRADD and TRAF2.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Transformation, Viral
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Enzyme Induction / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Targeting
  • HeLa Cells
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Kidney
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 6
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • NF-kappa B / physiology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / physiology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • Tyrosine / chemistry
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • PDLIM7 protein, human
  • Proteins
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • Tyrosine
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 6
  • MAP2K6 protein, human