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。     

反向PCR法构建TRAF6蛋白截短体质粒

目的:构建肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子6(TRAF6)截短体质粒pCMV-Myc-TRAF6 N和pCMV-Myc-TRAF6 C。方法:采用反向PCR法。结果:经双酶切鉴定,分别得到约900和750 bp的TRAF6截短体质粒pCMVMyc-TRAF6 N和pCMV-Myc-TRAF6 C,符合预期;转染293FT细胞后,Western印迹检测到TRAF6 N和TRAF6 C的表达。结论:构建了TRAF6蛋白截短体质粒,有助于进一步验证TRAF6的生物学功能。     

TRAF6-GST融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达及纯化

目的:在大肠杆菌中表达肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子6(TRAF6)与GST的融合蛋白并进行纯化。方法:采用PCR方法从肝文库中扩增编码TRAF6的DNA片段,将其插入原核表达载体pGEX-4T-2,构建GST-TRAF6原核表达载体,并转入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中,用IPTG诱导表达;用谷胱甘肽-琼脂糖珠亲和纯化表达的GST-TRAF6融合蛋白。结果:酶切鉴定和测序分析显示,长为1569 bp的TRAF6 DNA片段在pGEX-4T-2-TRAF6中的碱基序列、插入位点及读框正确,且位于表达载体的GST序列下游;经IPTG最佳浓度0.5 mmol/L诱导表达、亲和纯化后,获得了相对分子质量约85×103的GST-TRAF6融合蛋白。结论:构建了重组GST-TRAF6原核表达载体,获得了GST-TRAF6的大肠杆菌BL21表达菌株及GST-TRAF6融合蛋白,利于深入研究TRAF6的功能。     

TRAF6调控NLRP3炎症小体信号通路的机制研究

目的:研究肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子6(TRAF6)对NOD样受体蛋白3(NLRP3)炎症小体信号通路调控作用的机制。方法:利用免疫共沉淀和免疫印迹在HEK-293T细胞中研究TRAF6与NLRP3的相互作用;通过检测乳酸脱氢酶(LDH),在THP-1细胞中研究TRAF6对NLRP3炎症小体信号通路活性的影响。结果:TRAF6通过与NLRP3的相互作用增加NLRP3的稳定性,进而促进NLRP3炎症小体信号通路介导的LDH的释放。结论:TRAF6通过增加NLRP3的稳定性正调控NLRP3炎症小体信号通路。     

小鼠TRAF6特异性shRNA慢病毒质粒的构建及活性

目的:构建小鼠TRAF6基因特异性shRNA慢病毒质粒.方法:设计、合成小鼠TRAF6基因特异性shRNA核苷酸,将其链接入pENTR/U6载体,基因测序;通过LR克隆酶将pENTR/U6中的TRAF6特异性shRNA核苷酸插入CS -RfA -EG慢病毒载体,KpnⅠ限制酶切分析;通过慢病毒将TRAF6基因特异性shRNA慢病毒质粒导入MEF13细胞中,FACS分析质粒导入率,同时利用Western blot技术检测MEF13细胞中TRAF6的表达以及磷酸化IκBα的表达.以LacZ基因特异性shRNA慢病毒质粒为对照.结果:构建的小鼠TRAF6基因特异性shRNA慢病毒质粒与设计相符;MEF13细胞中慢病毒质粒的导入率为95％以上;与对照组比较,TRAF6基因特异性shRNA可长期、完全抑制MEF13细胞中TRAF6的表达及TRAF6介导的IκBα的磷酸化.结论:成功构建小鼠TRAF6基因特异性shRNA慢病毒质粒.     

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。     

Ubiquitin-specific protease 4 (USP4) targets TRAF2 and TRAF6 for deubiquitination and inhibits TNFα-induced cancer cell migration

TRAF [TNF (tumour necrosis factor)-receptor-associated factor] 2 and 6 are essential adaptor proteins for the NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) signalling pathway, which play important roles in inflammation and immune response. Polyubiquitination of TRAF2 and TRAF6 is critical to their activities and functions in TNFα- and IL (interleukin)-1β-induced NF-κB activation. However, the regulation of TRAF2 and TRAF6 by deubiquitination remains incompletely understood. In the present study, we identified USP (ubiquitin-specific protease) 4 as a novel deubiquitinase targeting TRAF2 and TRAF6 for deubiquitination. We found that USP4 specifically interacts with TRAF2 and TRAF6, but not TRAF3. Moreover, USP4 associates with TRAF6 both in vitro and in vivo, independent of its deubiquitinase activity. The USP domain is responsible for USP4 to interact with TRAF6. Ectopic expression of USP4 inhibits the TRAF2- and TRAF6-stimulated NF-κB reporter gene and negatively regulates the TNFα-induced IκBα (inhibitor of NF-κBα) degradation and NF-κB activation. Knockdown of USP4 significantly increased TNFα-induced cytokine expression. Furthermore, we found that USP4 deubiquitinates both TRAF2 and TRAF6 in vivo and in vitro in a deubiquitinase activity-dependent manner. Importantly, the results of the present study showed that USP4 is a negative regulator of TNFα- and IL-1β-induced cancer cell migration. Taken together, the present study provides a novel insight into the regulation of the NF-κB signalling pathway and uncovers a previously unknown function of USP4 in cancer.     

TRAF6对BMP经典通路中Smad1的调控作用研究

BMP经典的Smad通路和非经典信号的MAPK通路调控中胚层形成、骨骼发育和肿瘤形成等许多生物学过程.TRAF6作为BMP非经典信号通路中的重要组成部分,在非经典通路激活中有重要的调节作用.对于TRAF6与BMP经典信号通路的关系未见相关报道.本研究发现,过表达TRAF6后Smad1的表达被抑制;反之,敲低TRAF6后Smad1的表达上升.进一步的研究表明,TRAF6对Smad1的调节作用发生在mRNA水平.这些研究揭示了TRAF6在协调BMP经典通路和非经典通路中发挥着重要作用.     

东北七鳃鳗TRAF6基因克隆、表达分析及亚细胞定位研究

为研究TRAF6在TLR信号介导的先天免疫中的调控作用, 研究通过克隆技术获得了东北七鳃鳗(Lethenteron morii)TRAF6基因的cDNA全长, 命名为LmTRAF6。利用实时荧光定量方法(qPCR)分析了LmTRAF6在幼鱼和成鱼中各组织的表达情况以及在铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)感染后脂肪体、鳃、肠和肾组织在不同时间点的表达量变化。利用双酶切技术构建pEGFP-TRAF6重组质粒并转染HEK293T细胞, 48h后进行荧光观察并拍照。结果表明, LmTRAF6的cDNA全长为2751 bp, 开放阅读框(ORF)为1785 bp, 编码594个氨基酸。其蛋白结构域高度保守, 具有RING结构、两个锌指结构、环-环(Coiled-coil)α螺旋结构域和MATH结构域。通过系统进化树分析, 发现LmTRAF6与哺乳类以及鱼类TRAF6的亲缘关系较近, 与果蝇、中国对虾TRAF6的亲缘关系较远。qPCR结果显示, LmTRAF6在各组织中均有表达, 在幼鱼的心脏、皮肤、鳃、肝中的表达量相对较高, 而在肠中表达量相对较低。在成鱼的肾、鳃、肌肉中的表达量相对较高, 而在心脏中表达量相对较低。成鱼LmTRAF6在铜绿假单胞菌感染后, 鳃、肠和肾的表达量在24h达到峰值。细胞定位显示, LmTRAF6在HEK293T的细胞质和细胞核中均有表达。以上结果为进一步探究七鳃鳗中TRAF6在TLR信号通路中的作用奠定了理论基础。     

The PP4R1 subunit of protein phosphatase PP4 targets TRAF2 and TRAF6 to mediate inhibition of NF-κB activation

TRAFs constitute a family of proteins that have been implicated in signal transduction by immunomodulatory cellular receptors and viral proteins. TRAF2 and TRAF6 have an E3-ubiquitin ligase activity, which is dependent on the integrity of their RING finger domain and it has been associated with their ability to activate the NF-κB and AP1 signaling pathways. A yeast two-hybrid screen with TRAF2 as bait, identified the regulatory subunit PP4R1 of protein phosphatase PP4 as a TRAF2-interacting protein. The interaction of TRAF2 with PP4R1 depended on the integrity of the RING finger domain of TRAF2. PP4R1 could interact also with the TRAF2-related factor TRAF6 in a RING domain-dependent manner. Exogenous expression of PP4R1 inhibited NF-κB activation by TRAF2, TRAF6, TNF and the Epstein–Barr virus oncoprotein LMP1. In addition, expression of PP4R1 downregulated IL8 induction by LMP1, whereas downregulation of PP4R1 by RNA interference enhanced the induction of IL8 by LMP1 and TNF. PP4R1 could mediate the dephosphorylation of TRAF2 Ser11, which has been previously implicated in TRAF2-mediated activation of NF-κB. Finally, PP4R1 could inhibit TRAF6 polyubiquitination, suggesting an interference with the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of TRAF6. Taken together, our data identify a novel mechanism of NF-κB pathway inhibition which is mediated by PP4R1-dependent targeting of specific TRAF molecules.     

Mutational analysis of TRAF6 reveals a conserved functional role of the RING dimerization interface and a potentially necessary but insufficient role of RING-dependent TRAF6 polyubiquitination towards NF-κB activation

TRAF6 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a pivotal role in the activation of NF-κB by innate and adaptive immunity stimuli. TRAF6 consists of a highly conserved carboxyl terminal TRAF-C domain which is preceded by a coiled coil domain and an amino terminal region that contains a RING domain and a series of putative zinc-finger motifs. The TRAF-C domain contributes to TRAF6 oligomerization and mediates the interaction of TRAF6 with upstream signaling molecules whereas the RING domain comprises the core of the ubiquitin ligase catalytic domain. In order to identify structural elements that are important for TRAF6-induced NF-κB activation, mutational analysis of the TRAF-C and RING domains was performed. Alterations of highly conserved residues of the TRAF-C domain of TRAF6 did not affect significantly the ability of the protein to activate NF-κB. On the other hand a number of functionally important residues (L77, Q82, R88, F118, N121 and E126) for the activation of NF-κB were identified within the RING domain of TRAF6. Interestingly, several homologues of these residues in TRAF2 were shown to have a conserved functional role in TRAF2-induced NF-κB activation and lie at the dimerization interface of the RING domain. Finally, whereas alteration of Q82, R88 and F118 compromised both the K63-linked polyubiquitination of TRAF6 and its ability to activate NF-κB, alteration of L77, N121 and E126 diminished the NF-κB activating function of TRAF6 without affecting TRAF6 K63-linked polyubiquitination. Our results support a conserved functional role of the TRAF RING domain dimerization interface and a potentially necessary but insufficient role for RING-dependent TRAF6 K63-linked polyubiquitination towards NF-κB activation in cells.     

TRAF2 Suppresses Basal IKK Activity in Resting Cells and TNFα Can Activate IKK in TRAF2 and TRAF5 Double Knockout Cells

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and TRAF5 are adapter proteins involved in TNFα-induced activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathways. Currently, TNFα-induced NF-κB activation is believed to be impaired in TRAF2 and TRAF5 double knockout (T2/5 DKO) cells. Here, we report instead that T2/5 DKO cells exhibit high basal IκB kinase (IKK) activity and elevated expression of NF-κB-dependent genes in unstimulated conditions. Although TNFα-induced receptor-interacting protein 1 ubiquitination is indeed impaired in T2/5 DKO cells, TNFα stimulation further increases IKK activity in these cells, resulting in significantly elevated expression of NF-κB target genes to a level higher than that in wild-type cells. Inhibition of NIK in T2/5 DKO cells attenuates basal IKK activity and restores robust TNFα-induced IKK activation to a level comparable with that seen in wild-type cells. This suggests that TNFα can activate IKK in the absence of TRAF2 and TRAF5 expression and receptor-interacting protein 1 ubiquitination. In addition, both the basal and TNFα-induced expression of anti-apoptotic proteins are normal in T2/5 DKO cells, yet these DKO cells remain sensitive to TNFα-induced cell death, due to the impaired recruitment of anti-apoptotic proteins to the TNFR1 complex in the absence of TRAF2. Thus, our data demonstrate that TRAF2 negatively regulates basal IKK activity in resting cells and inhibits TNFα-induced cell death by recruiting anti-apoptotic proteins to the TNFR1 complex rather than by activating the NF-κB pathway.     

SUMOylation Attenuates Human β-Arrestin 2 Inhibition of IL-1R/TRAF6 Signaling

β-Arrestin 2 as an adaptor plays a role in the regulation of receptor desensitization, trafficking, and signaling. Bovine β-arrestin 2 has been shown to be SUMOylated on the lysine 400 residue, which links it to the endocytosis of the β₂-adrenergic receptor. Here we identify a major SUMOylation site, lysine 295, on human β-arrestin 2. SUMOylation on this site attenuates β-arrestin 2 binding to TRAF6, then enhances TRAF6 oligomerization and autoubiquitination, and consequently leads to the increase of TRAF6-mediated NF-κB/AP-1 activation. We further determine SENP1 as a specific de-SUMOylation protease that can reverse the SUMOylation of β-arrestin 2-mediated processes. Our study reveals SUMOylation as a novel mechanism in the regulation of β-arrestin 2-mediated IL-1R/TRAF6 signaling.     

miR-942-5p靶向TRAF6对病毒性心肌炎细胞损伤的影响

目的 探讨miR-942-5p靶向肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子6(TRAF6)对病毒性心肌炎细胞损伤的影响.方法 体外分离培养BALB/c小鼠心肌细胞,采用柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)感染心肌细胞,建立病毒性心肌炎细胞模型,将细胞分为对照组(未感染CVB3病毒)、CVB3组(感染CVB3病毒)、CVB3+miR-NC组(感染...     

TRAF6 Mediates Basal Activation of NF-κB Necessary for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Homeostasis

1. Download high-res image (217KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

敲低TRAF6对白血病K562细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及其分子机制

该文探讨了干扰肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子6(tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6,TRAF6)表达对人白血病K562细胞增殖、凋亡的影响及其分子机制。将靶向TRAF6基因的sh RNA慢病毒载体感染K562细胞,利用荧光显微镜观察感染效率;Western blot方法检测TRAF6蛋白表达的改变;CCK-8法检测体外细胞增殖活性;流式细胞术分析细胞凋亡率;Western blot方法检测凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2表达和AKT磷酸化水平的变化。结果显示,TRAF6-sh RNA慢病毒载体成功感染K562细胞,TRAF6蛋白表达水平明显下降。与空白对照组和TRAF6-NC组相比较,TRAF6-sh RNA组细胞增殖能力明显受抑(P0.05),而细胞凋亡率增加(P0.05);同时,促凋亡蛋白Bax表达升高、抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达下降。此外,干扰TRAF6可下调K562细胞p-AKT(T308)和p-AKT(S473)活性,而总AKT水平未见明显变化。该研究表明,干扰TRAF6表达可抑制K562细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡,其机制可能与下调AKT活性有关,提示TRAF6可作为白血病治疗的一个潜在靶点。