从人白细胞cDNA文库筛选凋亡素相互作用蛋白

来源于鸡贫血病毒的小分子蛋白-凋亡素(apoptin)能够选择性诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,为研究其选择性诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的分子机制,利用酵母双杂交系统筛选从人白细胞cDNA文库筛选apoptin相互作用蛋白,核酸序列分析及同源性检索表明,其中一个与ABP280（actin-binding protein 280）有高度同源性.细胞免疫共沉淀实验结果显示：在哺乳动物细胞水平仍能够检测到apoptin与ABP280片段的特异的相互作用.分别构建缺失C端11个氨基酸、中间33～46位氨基酸和二者均缺失的apoptin的3个突变体, 突变体与ABP280相互作用研究表明：apoptin的33～46位氨基酸（核外运信号）对于apoptin 与ABP280的相互作用是必需的,而C端核定位信号/DNA结合序列对于apoptin 与ABP280的相互作用不是充分必要的.     

凋亡蛋白和Nmi的相互作用及作用位点的筛选鉴定

为研究来源于鸡贫血病毒的小分子蛋白质———凋亡蛋白 (apoptin)诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的分子机制 ,利用酵母双杂交系统从人白细胞cDNA文库筛选凋亡蛋白相互作用蛋白质 ,核苷酸序列分析及同源性检索表明 ,其中一个约为 1.2kb的克隆与Nmi(N Mycinteractionprotein)高度同源。细胞免疫共沉淀实验结果显示 ,在哺乳动物细胞水平仍能够检测到凋亡蛋白与全长Nmi的特异相互作用。利用构建好的分别缺失C端 11个氨基酸、中间 33～46位氨基酸和二者均缺失的 3个凋亡蛋白突变体进行相互作用位点研究 ,结果表明凋亡蛋白的 33～ 46位氨基酸(核外运信号 )对于凋亡蛋白与Nmi的相互作用是必需的 ,而C端核定位信号 /DNA结合序列对于凋亡蛋白与Nmi的相互作用不是充分必要的     

利用酵母双杂交系统筛选水稻类受体激酶OsWAK50胞内域相互作用蛋白

细胞壁连接的类受体激酶(wall-associated kinase,WAK)是植物细胞中一类特有的类受体激酶基因亚家族,因其胞外域与细胞壁紧密相连而得名．水稻中共有125个OsWAK基因,OsWAK50编码的蛋白质具有胞外域、跨膜域和激酶域,呈现典型的WAK样受体激酶特征．首先通过对OsWAK50-GFP融合蛋白的观察发现OsWAK50定位于细胞膜并且与细胞壁偶联．进而通过酵母双杂交系统筛选到了20个可能与OsWAK50胞内域相互作用的候选蛋白,并通过一对一酵母转化验证了OsSK4、OsSWIB和OsSWI3C全长均可与OsWAK50胞内域相互作用．进一步分析显示,OsSWIB能够直接与OsWAK50激酶域互作,而OsSK4和OsSWI3C与OsWAK50胞内域的互作是依赖于OsWAK50 C端的．研究还表明,OsSK4和OsSWIB亦能与OsWAK50同源基因OsWAK53a结合,而OsSWI3C则不能与OsWAK53a结合．双分子荧光互补实验证明,OsSK4与OsWAK50和OsWAK53a能够在植物体内发生互作．以上结果为阐明OsWAK50发挥功能的分子机制提供了重要线索．     

重组水蛭素的突变及突变体部分性质研究

以基因突变结合动力学分析的方法研究了水蛭素空间结构及其与凝血酶的相互作用．采用基因定点突变和随机突变的方法得到两个重组水蛭素突变体,并从抗酰胺水解活性,抗凝血酶活力和稳定性三个方面,比较研究了重组水蛭素ｒＨＶ２中４７位和１１位两个氨基酸残基对其稳定性和抑制能力的影响．将ｒＨＶ２中Ｇｌｎ１１和Ａｓｎ４７分别突变为Ｈｉｓ１１和Ｌｙｓ４７后,ｒＨＶ２－Ｈ１１生物活力降低３０％,ｒＨＶ２－Ｋ４７生物活力提高６１％．测定抑制常数Ｋｉ表明,ｒＨＶ２－Ｈ１１突变体Ｋｉ值升高１４倍,ｒＨＶ２－Ｋ４７突变体Ｋｉ值降低１４倍,两个突变体的热稳定性均有所增强,ｒＨＶ２－Ｈ１１在酸性和碱性条件的稳定性降低．分析实验结果,可以认为：①４７位的Ｌｙｓ可能是通过氢键和静电两种作用力同时影响着水蛭素的三维结构和其与凝血酶的结合．②１１位氨基酸可能是水蛭素分子中另一个重要位点．     

受体型蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶PCP-2与β-catenin相互作用的结构基础

PCP-2是MAM型受体型蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶亚家族的新成员. 为研究PCP-2与β-catenin相互作用的结构基础, 构建了PCP-2胞内区各结构域的缺失突变体, 将其及野生型PCP-2分别与β-catenin共转染至BHK-21细胞, 采用免疫共沉淀和Western 印迹分析PCP-2与β-catenin相互作用的结构基础. 结果表明, 在野生型PCP-2及上述缺失突变体中, 除PCP-2 EXT (缺失包括近膜区在内的整个胞内区的PCP-2)外, 野生型PCP-2, 缺失胞内区两个磷酸酶结构域的PCP-2 (PCP-2DC1C2)及缺失胞内区第2个磷酸酶结构域的PCP-2 (PCP-2DC2)均能与抗β-catenin CT抗体发生免疫共沉淀. 提示PCP-2与β-catenin通过直接结合发生相互作用, 且PCP-2的近膜区是PCP-2与β-catenin结合所必需的结构基础, 它介导二者结合.     

用酵母双杂交技术研究IGF-1与其结合蛋白3的相互作用

 为了探讨胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白 3(IGFBP- 3)分子上的胰岛素样生长因子 1 (IGF- 1 )结合位点并找出其关键氨基酸残基组成 ,首先建立了研究 IGF- 1与 IGFBP- 3相互作用的酵母双杂交模型 ,可以定性和定量地分析两个蛋白质之间的相互作用大小 ;同时利用基因体外定点突变的方法 ,对推断出的 IGF- 1结合位点中的氨基酸突变 ,经 DNA序列分析 ,构建了 5种 IGFBP- 3突变体 .然后在酵母双杂交模型中通过对报告基因活性的定量分析 ,检测 IGF- 1与各种 IGFBP- 3突变体之间相互作用的大小 .结果表明 ,IGFBP- 3分子上的 Lys2 2 2 ,Gln2 2 3突变后 ,与 IGF- 1的结合力大大下降 ,而 Arg2 2 5,Pro2 2 6,Ser2 2 7突变后也导致与 IGF- 1结合力的部分下降 .从而初步确定了IGFBP- 3分子中第 2 2 2～ 2 2 7位的氨基酸区域为 IGF- 1的结合位点 ,并且 IGFBP- 3分子上 Lys2 2 2 ,Gln2 2 3在与 IGF- 1结合中起着重要作用 .     

脆性组氨酸三联体与复制蛋白A相互作用关键氨基酸残基的鉴定

目的：研究脆性组氨酸三联体（Fhit）对ATR/CHK1通路的影响,在确定Fhit与复制蛋白A（RPA）存在相互作用的基础上鉴定Fhit与RPA相互作用的关键氨基酸残基,为进一步研究Fhit特异的信号通路奠定基础。方法：构建一系列Fhit缺失突变体基因Fhit1～Fhit11及6种Fhit点突变体基因,将这些基因插入含GST基因的原核表达载体中,在大肠杆菌中表达并纯化GST-Fhit1～GST-Fhit11融合蛋白、突变体GST-FhitSIYEEL、GST-FhitIY、GST-FhitEL、GST-FhitF、GST-FhitA,以及GST-FhitD融合蛋白,用GST沉降技术研究Fhit与RPA相互作用的关键氨基酸残基。结果：Fhit蛋白第112～117（SIYEEL）残基可能是Fhit与RPA相互作用的关键区域,而第114（Y）残基可能是Fhit与RPA相互作用的关键氨基酸残基。结论：确定了Fhit与RPA相互作用的关键氨基酸残基,为阐明Fhit在维持基因组完整性方面的机理提供了线索。     

鼻咽癌中EB病毒LMP1激活TRAFs的初步研究

在EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白LMP1介导的信号传导通路中,TRAFs作为LMP1活化的第一位信号分子,可能扮演着重要的分子开关角色,令人关注的是,在上皮性肿瘤NPC的发生中,EB病毒LMP1能否激活重要的TRAFs信号分子？究竟激活何种TRAFs信号分子,激活的机制何在？将LMP1 cDNA导入LMP1表达阴性的HNE2中,建立稳定表达LMP1的劓咽癌细胞系：HNE2－LMP1。以此为材料,应用差异RT－PCR和Western blotting法证实,无论在RNA水平,还是蛋白水平上,TRAF1在HNE2－LMP1中表达较HNE2强,而TRAF2及TRAF3在HNE2－LMP1与HNE2细胞中表达无明显差异;进一步用免疫共沉淀－Western blotting证实LMP1可使TRAF1、TRAF2、TRAF3磷酸化耐被活化,这些结果提示在鼻咽癌中,LMP1可能诱导TRAF1表达,而对TRAF2及TRAF3并不影响,但LMP1可磷酸化TRAF1、TRAF2、TRAF3面使其功能性活化。     

极性蛋白Crumbs胞内域功能保守性研究

跨膜蛋白Crumbs(Crb)是细胞顶部的决定因子,对上皮细胞顶-底极性的建立和维持起着关键的作用。其胞内域虽然仅有37个氨基酸,但对Crb的功能必不可少。在果蝇(Drosophila melanogaster)中,如果胞内域发生突变,将造成胚胎发育异常、上皮细胞顶底极性丧失等严重后果。Crb胞内域从果蝇到小鼠(Mus musculus)和人类(Homo sapiens)具有很高的同源性,但线虫(Caenorhabditis elegans)两个Crb蛋白的胞内域与果蝇和哺乳动物却较为不同。为验证线虫Crb蛋白胞内域是否功能保守,本文利用基因组工程法(Genomic engineering),将果蝇基因组中Crb基因编码胞内域的部分替换为一致性和相似性较远的线虫Crb2基因的相应区段。与其他Crb胞内域突变果蝇不同,替换突变体胚胎发育正常,Crb及其他极性蛋白的表达和定位正常,胚胎上皮细胞顶底极性能够正确的建立和维持。这些结果证实虽然线虫和果蝇Crb蛋白胞内域之间存在大量序列变异,但重要的氨基酸位点和功能模块则完全保守。     

MUC1及其C端活性片段突变体具有抑制肿瘤的活性

MUC1蛋白翻译后成为一条多肽链,它很快在内质网被切割成2个亚基,形成稳定的异源二聚体.Cys-Gln-Cys(CQC)3个氨基酸位于MUC1C端亚基跨膜结构域与胞内结构域的连接处.研究发现,MUC1C端的CQCRRK结构域突变成AQARRK或使其缺失,突变体的致瘤性明显降低.表明:通过突变CQC→AQA来阻碍与C端亚基相关的二聚体化,可能成为肿瘤治疗的新途径.     

TNFR-associated factor-3 is associated with BAFF-R and negatively regulates BAFF-R-mediated NF-kappa B activation and IL-10 production

TALL-1 is a member of the TNF family that is critically involved in B cell survival, maturation, and progression of lupus-like autoimmune diseases. TALL-1 has three receptors, including BCMA, TACI, and BAFF-R, which are mostly expressed by B lymphocytes. Gene knockout studies have indicated that BAFF-R is the major stimulatory receptor for TALL-1 signaling and is required for normal B cell development. The intracellular signaling mechanisms of BAFF-R are not known. In this report, we attempted to identify BAFF-R-associated downstream proteins by yeast two-hybrid screening. This effort identified TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)3 as a protein specifically interacting with BAFF-R in yeast two-hybrid assays. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that BAFF-R interacts with TRAF3 in B lymphoma cells and this interaction is stimulated by TALL-1 treatment. Domain mapping experiments indicated that both a 6-aa membrane proximal region and the C-terminal 35 aa of BAFF-R are required for its interaction with TRAF3. Moreover, overexpression of TRAF3 inhibits BAFF-R-mediated NF-kappaB activation and IL-10 production. Taken together, our findings suggest that TRAF3 is a negative regulator of BAFF-R-mediated NF-kappaB activation and IL-10 production.     

Key molecular contacts promote recognition of the BAFF receptor by TNF receptor-associated factor 3: implications for intracellular signaling regulation

B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family receptor (BAFF-R), a member of the TNFR superfamily, plays a role in autoimmunity after ligation with BAFF ligand (also called TALL-1, BLyS, THANK, or zTNF4). BAFF/BAFF-R interactions are critical for B cell regulation, and signaling from this ligand-receptor complex results in NF-kappaB activation. Most TNFRs transmit signals intracellularly by recruitment of adaptor proteins called TNFR-associated factors (TRAFs). However, BAFF-R binds only one TRAF adaptor, TRAF3, and this interaction negatively regulates activation of NF-kappaB. In this study, we report the crystal structure of a 24-residue fragment of the cytoplasmic portion of BAFF-R bound in complex with TRAF3. The recognition motif (162)PVPAT(166) in BAFF-R is accommodated in the same binding crevice on TRAF3 that binds two related TNFRs, CD40 and LTbetaR, but is presented in a completely different structural framework. This region of BAFF-R assumes an open conformation with two extended strands opposed at right angles that each make contacts with TRAF3. The recognition motif is located in the N-terminal arm and intermolecular contacts mediate TRAF recognition. In the C-terminal arm, key stabilizing contacts are made, including critical hydrogen bonds with Gln(379) in TRAF3 that define the molecular basis for selective binding of BAFF-R solely to this member of the TRAF family. A dynamic conformational adjustment of Tyr(377) in TRAF3 occurs forming a new intermolecular contact with BAFF-R that stabilizes the complex. The structure of the complex provides a molecular explanation for binding affinities and selective protein interactions in TNFR-TRAF interactions.     

4-1BB and Ox40 Are Members of a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-Nerve Growth Factor Receptor Subfamily That Bind TNF Receptor-Associated Factors and Activate Nuclear Factor κB

Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor family have been shown to be important costimulatory molecules for cellular activation. 4-1BB and Ox40 are two recently described members of this protein family which are expressed primarily on activated T cells. To gain insight into the signaling pathways employed by these factors, yeast two-hybrid library screens were performed with the cytoplasmic domains of 4-1BB and Ox40 as baits. TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) was identified as an interacting protein in both screens. The ability of both 4-1BB and Ox40 to interact with TRAF2 was confirmed in mammalian cells by coimmunoprecipitation studies. When the binding of the receptors to other TRAF proteins was investigated, 4-1BB and Ox40 displayed distinct binding patterns. While 4-1BB bound TRAF2 and TRAF1, Ox40 interacted with TRAF3 and TRAF2. Using deletion and alanine scanning analysis, we defined the elements in the cytoplasmic domains of both receptors that mediate these interactions. The 4-1BB receptor was found to have two independent stretches of acidic residues that can mediate association of the TRAF molecules. In contrast, a single TRAF binding domain was identified in the cytoplasmic tail of Ox40. The cytoplasmic domains of both receptors were shown to activate nuclear factor κB in a TRAF-dependent manner. Taken together, our results indicate that 4-1BB and Ox40 bind TRAF proteins to initiate a signaling cascade leading to activation of nuclear factor κB.     

ΦC31位点特异性整合酶DNA结合功能域的鉴定

DNA结合功能域的确定是阐明位点特异性重组酶整合机制的关键,而对酶DNA结合功能域进行突变研究是提高酶整合效率和整合特异性的重要方法.为了鉴定ΦC31位点特异性整合酶的DNA结合功能域,依据对ΦC31整合酶序列的生物信息学分析结果,利用PCR和克隆技术在pET22b原核表达载体上构建ΦC31整合酶重组截短突变体表达质粒,将获得的表达质粒转化入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株扩大培养并用IPTG诱导融合蛋白的表达,经镍柱纯化获得了纯度达90%以上的重组蛋白,分子量也与预期大小一致,Western印迹确定了重组蛋白的特异性.凝胶迁移滞后实验显示野生型以及截短突变体蛋白ΦC311-528、ΦC311-472、ΦC311-413能与细菌附着位点DNAattB和噬菌体附着位点DNAattP结合的条带,而截短突变体ΦC311-353、ΦC311-279、ΦC311-120观察不到相应的结合条带.6个截短突变体质粒在体内重组活性蓝白斑实验中均表现为蓝斑,显示出皆丧失体内重组活性.研究证实,ΦC31整合酶半胱氨酸富集域(第353～413位氨基酸)具有DNA结合的功能,而C末端缬氨酸富集区(第528～613位氨基酸)也与其重组活性相关.这为进一步了解ΦC31整合酶的结构与功能,最终引导其结构进化,提高其特异性和整合效率奠定了基础.     

Protein kinase PKN1 associates with TRAF2 and is involved in TRAF2-NF-kappaB signaling pathway

PKN1 is a fatty acid and Rho-activated serine/threonine protein kinase whose catalytic domain is highly homologous to protein kinase C (PKC) family. In yeast two-hybrid screening for PKN1 binding proteins, we identified tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2). TRAF2 is one of the major mediators of TNF receptor superfamily transducing TNF signal to various functional targets, including activation of NF-kappaB, JNK, and apoptosis. FLAG-tagged PKN1 was co-immunoprecipitated with endogenous TRAF2 from HEK293 cell lysate, and in vitro binding assay using the deletion mutants of TRAF2 showed that PKN1 directly binds to the TRAF domain of TRAF2. PKN1 has the TRAF2-binding consensus sequences PXQX (S/T) at amino acid residues 580-584 (PIQES), and P580AQ582A mutant was not co-immunoprecipitated with TRAF2. Furthermore, the reduced expression of PKN1 by RNA interference (RNAi) down-regulated TRAF2-induced NF-kappaB activation in HEK293T cells. These results suggest that PKN1 is involved in TRAF2-NF-kappaB signaling pathway.     

Binding of integrin alpha6beta4 to plectin prevents plectin association with F-actin but does not interfere with intermediate filament binding.

Hemidesmosomes are stable adhesion complexes in basal epithelial cells that provide a link between the intermediate filament network and the extracellular matrix. We have investigated the recruitment of plectin into hemidesmosomes by the alpha6beta4 integrin and have shown that the cytoplasmic domain of the beta4 subunit associates with an NH(2)-terminal fragment of plectin that contains the actin-binding domain (ABD). When expressed in immortalized plectin-deficient keratinocytes from human patients with epidermol- ysis bullosa (EB) simplex with muscular dystrophy (MD-EBS), this fragment is colocalized with alpha6beta4 in basal hemidesmosome-like clusters or associated with F-actin in stress fibers or focal contacts. We used a yeast two-hybrid binding assay in combination with an in vitro dot blot overlay assay to demonstrate that beta4 interacts directly with plectin, and identified a major plectin-binding site on the second fibronectin type III repeat of the beta4 cytoplasmic domain. Mapping of the beta4 and actin-binding sites on plectin showed that the binding sites overlap and are both located in the plectin ABD. Using an in vitro competition assay, we could show that beta4 can compete out the plectin ABD fragment from its association with F-actin. The ability of beta4 to prevent binding of F-actin to plectin explains why F-actin has never been found in association with hemidesmosomes, and provides a molecular mechanism for a switch in plectin localization from actin filaments to basal intermediate filament-anchoring hemidesmosomes when beta4 is expressed. Finally, by mapping of the COOH-terminally located binding site for several different intermediate filament proteins on plectin using yeast two-hybrid assays and cell transfection experiments with MD-EBS keratinocytes, we confirm that plectin interacts with different cytoskeletal networks.     

The MYND domain-containing protein BRAM1 inhibits lymphotoxin beta receptor-mediated signaling through affecting receptor oligomerization

MYND (myeloid-Nervy-DEAF-1) domains exist in a large number of proteins that are functionally important in development or associated with cancers. We have previously demonstrated that a MYND domain-containing protein, the bone morphogenesis protein receptor-associated molecule 1 (BRAM1), is able to interact with Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), which acts as a constitutively activated tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR). Herein we further demonstrated that BRAM1 additionally associates with the TNFR-superfamily member, the lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR), and hence inhibits LTβR-mediated function. Using the yeast two-hybrid assay, we demonstrated that BRAM1 interacts with LTβR mainly through the self-association domain of LTβR (aa 336-398). The co-immunoprecipitation experiment further revealed that BRAM1 as well as MYND domain-containing proteins, MTG8 and DEAF-1, interacts with LTβR via their MYND domains. The BRAM1-LTβR interaction impedes the self-association of LTβR and the recruitment of TNFR-associated factors 2 and 3 (TRAF2 and TRAF3), leading to abolishment of LTβR-induced NF-κB signaling, JNK activation, and caspase-dependent cell death. In sum, our data demonstrate that the MYND-containing protein BRAM1 abrogates LTβR function through a protein-protein interaction. These findings may provide a direction for the treatment of dysregulation of LTβR-mediated signaling.     

Association of TRAF1, TRAF2, and TRAF3 with an Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 domain important for B-lymphocyte transformation: role in NF-kappaB activation.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transforming protein LMP1 appears to be a constitutively activated tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) on the basis of an intrinsic ability to aggregate in the plasma membrane and an association of its cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus (CT) with TNFR-associated factors (TRAFs). We now show that in EBV-transformed B lymphocytes most of TRAF1 or TRAF3 and 5% of TRAF2 are associated with LMP1 and that most of LMP1 is associated with TRAF1 or TRAF3. TRAF1, TRAF2, and TRAF3 bind to a single site in the LMP1 CT corresponding to amino acids (aa) 199 to 214, within a domain which is important for B-lymphocyte growth transformation (aa 187 to 231). Further deletional and alanine mutagenesis analyses and comparison with TRAF binding sequences in CD40, in CD30, and in the LMP1 of other lymphycryptoviruses provide the first evidence that PXQXT/S is a core TRAF binding motif. The negative effects of point mutations in the LMP1(1-231) core TRAF binding motif on TRAF binding and NF-kappaB activation genetically link the TRAFs to LMP1(1-231)-mediated NF-kappaB activation. NF-kappaB activation by LMP1(1-231) is likely to be mediated by TRAF1/TRAF2 heteroaggregates since TRAF1 is unique among the TRAFs in coactivating NF-kappaB with LMP1(1-231), a TRAF2 dominant-negative mutant can block LMP1(1-231)-mediated NF-kappaB activation as well as TRAF1 coactivation, and 30% of TRAF2 is associated with TRAF1 in EBV-transformed B cells. TRAF3 is a negative modulator of LMP1(1-231)-mediated NF-kappaB activation. Surprisingly, TRAF1, -2, or -3 does not interact with the terminal LMP1 CT aa 333 to 386 which can independently mediate NF-kappaB activation. The constitutive association of TRAFs with LMP1 through the aa 187 to 231 domain which is important in NF-kappaB activation and primary B-lymphocyte growth transformation implicates TRAF aggregation in LMP1 signaling.     

Specificity of TRAF3 in its negative regulation of the noncanonical NF-kappa B pathway

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are critical signaling adaptors downstream of many receptors in the TNF receptor and interleukin-1 receptor/Toll-like receptor superfamilies. Whereas TRAF2, 5, and 6 are activators of the canonical NF-kappaB signaling pathway, TRAF3 is an inhibitor of the noncanonical NF-kappaB pathway. The contribution of the different domains in TRAFs to their respective functions remains unclear. To elucidate the structural and functional specificities of TRAF3, we reconstituted TRAF3-deficient cells with a series of TRAF3 mutants and assessed their abilities to restore TRAF3-mediated inhibition of the noncanonical NF-kappaB pathway as measured by NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK) protein levels and processing of p100 to p52. We found that a structurally intact RING finger domain of TRAF3 is required for inhibition of the noncanonical NF-kappaB pathway. In addition, the three N-terminal domains, but not the C-terminal TRAF domain, of the highly homologous TRAF5 can functionally replace the corresponding domains of TRAF3 in suppression of the noncanonical NF-kappaB pathway. This functional specificity correlates with the specific binding of TRAF3, but not TRAF5, to the previously reported TRAF3 binding motif in NIK. Our studies suggest that both the RING finger domain activity and the specific binding of the TRAF domain to NIK are two critical components of TRAF3 suppression of NIK protein levels and the processing of p100 to p52.