肿瘤坏死因子受体作用因子3(TRAF3)结构及生物学功能

目前在哺乳动物中发现6个肿瘤坏死因子受体作用因子(TNF receptor associated factors,TRAFs)家族成员,它们主要参与TNF受体家族信号通路.这些TRAF成员在C末端有螺旋卷曲结构和保守的TRAF结构域.TRAF3是TRAF家族中功能最为多样化的成员之一.1996年对TRAF3基因敲除小鼠进行研究发现,小鼠在出生早期死亡,这阻碍了TRAF3的生物学功能进一步研究,另一方面也证实了TRAF3在出生后发育以及维持正常的免疫系统功能方面有着重要生物学功能.10年后研究发现,TRAF3的缺失能够导致非经典NF-κB信号通路激活,这使得TRAF3在该信号通路中的功能得到了进一步的阐述.最近研究表明,TRAF3不仅能够负向调节NF-κB和MAPK信号通路,还能够正向调节Ⅰ型干扰素的产生.通过研究还发现,TRAF3可能存在着负向调节钙调蛋白磷酸酶活性的新功能.因此,研究TRAF3在免疫信号通路中的作用以及与之相关的病毒疾病具有重要的意义.     

泛素化在TRAF2介导的NF-κB信号通路中的作用

NF-κB（核因子κ增强子结合蛋白）是核转录因子家族成员,具有调节免疫、炎症和细胞存活的功能.它可被TRAF2（tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2,肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子2）等相关因子活化.TRAF2包含了N-端的环指结构域和C-端的高度保守结构域.它通过与肿瘤坏死因子受体超家族成员相互作用,介导了下游信号通路.而TRAF2的泛素化在过程中是关键的,鞘磷脂作为TRAF2的泛素化连接酶辅助因子,在TRAF2介导的NF-κB信号通路中发挥重要作用.     

TNF-α信号传导通路的分子机理

肿瘤坏死因子α（tumor necrosis factor-alpha,TNF-α）是一种具有多效生物学效应的细胞因子.TNF的生物学效应都是通过细胞表面的2种TNF受体（TNFR）引发,其信号传导通路主要包括caspase家族介导的细胞凋亡、衔接蛋白TRAF介导的转录因子NF-κB和JNK蛋白激酶的活化.TNFR1和TNFR2的生物学功能不是独立的,许多生物学活性由二者共同完成.3条信号传导通路之间及各通路内部含有各种调节机制,使TNF的各种生物学功能协调发挥出来.本文评述了3条信号传导通路最新进展、关键激酶的研究状况及其在整个信号网络中的作用机理,如IKK的激活以及重要的信号转导分子RIP、TRAF2、TRUSS的结构、相互作用的方式等     

TRAF7的研究进展

TRAFs家族是一类多功能蛋白,最初是作为TNFR介导的信号通路中的转导分子而被发现的。TRAFs作为信号接头蛋白和调节分子,参与了TNFR、TLRs、NLRs和RLRs等多种受体介导的信号通路。TRAF7是最新发现的TRAF家族成员,因其保守的RING结构域,而具有E3泛素连接酶活性。此外,TRAF7还以其独特机制参与了MAP激酶、TNFR及TLR2介导的信号通路的转导,以及细胞应激、分化和凋亡等重要生理过程的调控,与乳腺癌、脑膜瘤等多种疾病的发生密切相关。结合最新研究进展对TRAF7的结构、功能及其参与的生物学过程进行综述。     

TRAF4的结构与生物学功能

TRAF(TNF receptor associated factor)家族蛋白是一类具有相同C末端保守结构域的细胞内接头蛋白,能够与包括TNF受体在内的多种受体蛋白相互作用传递信号并因此得名,目前已经发现了7种TRAF家族蛋白。TRAF4是TRAF家族蛋白中最古老的成员之一,最早在乳腺癌的转移淋巴结中发现,在多种实体肿瘤组织中存在高表达和亚细胞定位的异常。与其他TRAF家族蛋白主要参与免疫和炎症反应不同,TRAF4在免疫中的作用非常有限,目前其已知功能主要体现在胚胎发育、细胞极性、凋亡以及活性氧生成调节等方面。     

TRAF6与肿瘤关系的研究进展

肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子6(Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6,TRAF6)是肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子家族的一员,研究发现其在许多恶性肿瘤中高表达,并且在肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移和凋亡过程中发挥重要作用。随着对TRAF6与不同类型肿瘤关系的深入研究,干扰或者抑制TRAF6在与肿瘤相关信号通路中的作用或许可以为癌症治疗提供新的策略。根据TRAF6的生物学特性及其在肿瘤相关信号通路中的重要作用,综述了TRAF6与肿瘤的关系,探讨了TRAF6在肿瘤治疗中的重要意义,旨在为今后以TRAF6为靶点的癌症治疗提供理论依据。     

肿瘤坏死因子信号传导的分子机理

肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor,TNF)是一种具有多种生物学效应的细胞因子,其生物学效应包括促进细胞生长、分化、凋亡及炎症诱发等.TNF的生物学效应都是通过细胞表面的两种TNF受体引发的.TNF的信号传导通路主要包括细胞凋亡及转录因子NF-kB和JNK蛋白激酶的激活.这3条信号传导通路之间及各通路内部含有各种调节机制,使TNF的各种生物学功能协调发挥出来.从1994年到现在,对肿瘤坏死因子信号传导通路的分子机理研究取得了一系列突破性进展,在细胞信号传导研究领域中树立了成功的典范.     

单纯疱疹病毒US3衣壳蛋白在TRAF6泛素化时或之前抑制Toll样受体2信号通路

单纯疱疹病毒（HSV ）能通过多种策略来调节宿主免疫反应。通过对 HSV开放读码框架的筛选发现, HSV编码的额外蛋白能影响核因子κB（NF-κB）信号通路,确定了病毒US3衣壳蛋白是NF-κB信号通路的抑制剂。该研究发现,在感染早期 US3蛋白能抑制病毒感染引起的Toll样受体2（TLR2）信号通路激活。US3在转染细胞中过表达能抑制酵母多糖引起的 TLR2信号通路激活,且这种抑制作用发生在MyD88的下游和p65的上游。在TLR2信号通路中,TRAF6的泛素化至关重要。使用US3-null和US3激酶突变病毒株,证明HSV US3蛋白能降低TRAF6泛素化,且US3激酶活性是这种作用所必需。结果提示,US3是有效抑制TLR2信号通路所必需且发生在TRAF6泛素化时或之前。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯抑制肥胖大鼠肝中TLR4炎症通路及胰岛素抵抗

目的探讨表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(epigallocatechin gallate,EGCG)对肥胖大鼠肝组织中Toll样受体4(Toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)炎症通路以及胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法将30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为普食组(NC)和高脂饮食组(HFD)。喂养16周后,将高脂饮食组随机分为HFD组与EGCG组继续喂养16周,检测相关代谢指标,测定肝组织甘油三酯含量,并进行油红染色评估肝脂质聚集情况;实时荧光定量PCR检测其肝脏中TLR4和TNF受体相关因子6(TNF receptor associated factor 6,TRAF6)mRNA水平;蛋白质印记检测其肝组织中TLR4信号通路及胰岛素信号通路相关蛋白水平。结果EGCG明显降低大鼠肝脏甘油三酯浓度及脂质聚集、TLR4和TRAF6 mRNA水平,TLR4信号通路相关蛋白水平及胰岛素信号通路相关蛋白水平。结论EGCG抑制肥胖大鼠肝组织中TLR4通路以及胰岛素抵抗。     

单核细胞趋化蛋白诱导蛋白-1的研究进展

单核细胞趋化蛋白诱导蛋白-1（MCPIP1）是最近发现的一类具有免疫调节作用的CCCH型锌指家族分子。MCPIP1可被LPS、IL-1β或MCP-1等多种炎性因子刺激表达,可通过下调炎症因子（如IL-6、IL-12p40等）表达,从而负向调控炎症过程。MCPIP1的作用机制主要是作为RNA酶调节某些炎性因子mRNA或pre-miRNA的降解。此外,MCPIP1也可作为去泛素化酶靶向TNF受体相关蛋白（TRAFs）成员,从而负向调控JNK和NF-κB信号活化。将从MCPIP1分子的发现、基因和蛋白质结构、生物学功能、表达调控以及临床应用前景等几个方面进行阐述。     

Recruitment of CD40 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors 2 and 3 to membrane microdomains during CD40 signaling

Signals delivered to antigen-presenting cells through CD40 are critical for the activation of immune responses. Intracellular tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are key elements of the signal transduction pathways of many TNF receptor family members, including CD40. We show for the first time that engagement of CD40 in intact B cells induces the rapid translocation of TRAF2 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. We found that CD40 engagement also results in its recruitment, together with TRAF2 and TRAF3, to membrane microdomains, regions of the plasma membrane enriched in signaling molecules such as the Src family kinases. Using a membrane-permeable chelator of zinc or a mutant TRAF2 molecule, we show that the putative zinc-binding domains of TRAFs contribute to their recruitment to microdomains and to the downstream activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. We suggest that the zinc RING and zinc finger domains of TRAFs are required for communication between CD40 and microdomain-associated signaling molecules and may serve a similar role in the signal transduction pathways of other TNF receptor family members.     

TANK Potentiates Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor-Mediated c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase/Stress-Activated Protein Kinase Activation through the Germinal Center Kinase Pathway

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are mediators of many members of the TNF receptor superfamily and can activate both the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK; also known as c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signal transduction pathways. We previously described the involvement of a TRAF-interacting molecule, TRAF-associated NF-kappaB activator (TANK), in TRAF2-mediated NF-kappaB activation. Here we show that TANK synergized with TRAF2, TRAF5, and TRAF6 but not with TRAF3 in SAPK activation. TRAF2 and TANK individually formed weak interactions with germinal center kinase (GCK)-related kinase (GCKR). However, when coexpressed, they formed a strong complex with GCKR, thereby providing a potential mechanism for TRAF and TANK synergy in GCKR-mediated SAPK activation, which is important in TNF family receptor signaling. Our results also suggest that TANK can form potential intermolecular as well as intramolecular interactions between its amino terminus and carboxyl terminus. This study suggests that TANK is a regulatory molecule controlling the threshold of NF-kappaB and SAPK activities in response to activation of TNF receptors. In addition, CD40 activated endogenous GCKR in primary B cells, implicating GCK family proteins in CD40-mediated B-cell functions.     

Expanding TRAF function: TRAF3 as a tri-faced immune regulator

Tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor (TRAF) proteins are essential components of signalling pathways activated by TNFR or Toll-like receptor (TLR) family members. Acting alone or in combination, the seven known TRAFs control many biological processes, including cytokine production and cell survival. The function of one TRAF in particular, TRAF3, remained elusive for many years. Recent work has revealed that TRAF3 is a highly versatile regulator that positively controls type I interferon production, but negatively regulates mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and alternative nuclear factor-κB signalling. In this Review, we discuss our current understanding of the role of TRAF3 in TNFR and TLR signalling pathways, and its role in disease.     

TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis receptor,a TNF receptor superfamily member,activates NF-kappa B through TNF receptor-associated factors

TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the TNF ligand family that induces angiogenesis in vivo. The TWEAK receptor (TweakR) is a recently identified member of the TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily and is expressed on smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). In this report we identify the TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family of signal transducers as important components of TweakR-mediated NF-kappa B activation. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments suggested potential interactions between the cytoplasmic tail of TweakR with TRAFs 1, 2, 3, and 5. Dominant negative forms of TRAF2 and TRAF5 substantially inhibited TweakR-mediated NF-kappa B activation, suggesting a role of TRAFs in regulating smooth muscle and endothelial cell function. Using alanine-scanning analysis, we defined a TRAF-binding motif, PIEET, in TweakR that mediates TRAF binding and NF-kappa B activation. Furthermore, TweakR mutations within the TRAF-binding motif abolished TweakR-stimulated SMC migration, revealing a role for TRAFs in TweakR-induced activation events.