Targeting of TAK1 by the NF-kappa B protein Relish regulates the JNK-mediated immune response in Drosophila

Genes Dev. 2004 Mar 1;18(5):584-94. doi: 10.1101/gad.1168104.

Abstract

The molecular circuitry underlying innate immunity is constructed of multiple, evolutionarily conserved signaling modules with distinct regulatory targets. The MAP kinases and the IKK-NF-kappa B molecules play important roles in the initiation of immune effector responses. We have found that the Drosophila NF-kappa B protein Relish plays a crucial role in limiting the duration of JNK activation and output in response to Gram-negative infections. Relish activation is linked to proteasomal degradation of TAK1, the upstream MAP kinase kinase kinase required for JNK activation. Degradation of TAK1 leads to a rapid termination of JNK signaling, resulting in a transient JNK-dependent response that precedes the sustained induction of Relish-dependent innate immune loci. Because the IKK-NF-kappa B module also negatively regulates JNK activation in mammals, thereby controlling inflammation-induced apoptosis, the regulatory cross-talk between the JNK and NF-kappa B pathways appears to be broadly conserved.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / immunology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / immunology
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Immunity / genetics*
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / immunology*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / immunology*
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptor Cross-Talk / immunology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Rel protein, Drosophila
  • Transcription Factors
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • MAP kinase kinase kinase 7
  • Endopeptidases