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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

TRAF7 potentiates MEKK3-induced AP1 and CHOP activation and induces apoptosis

Liang-Guo Xu1, Lian-Yun Li, Hong-Bing Shu

  • 1Integrated Department of Immunology, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|March 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified TRAF7, a novel tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF). TRAF7 interacts with MEKK3, influencing AP1 and CHOP activation and inducing apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) proteins are key mediators in signaling pathways.
  • TRAF family members regulate NF-kappaB, JNK, and p38 activation downstream of TNF and TIR receptors.
  • Most TRAF proteins possess a functional N-terminal RING finger domain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel members of the TRAF protein family.
  • To investigate the role of a newly identified TRAF protein, TRAF7, in cellular signaling pathways.
  • To elucidate the functional domains of TRAF7 involved in MEKK3 signaling and apoptosis induction.

Main Methods:

  • Protein identification and domain analysis.
  • Co-immunoprecipitation assays to study protein interactions.
  • Antisense RNA technology for gene silencing.
  • Overexpression studies and domain mapping for functional analysis.

Main Results:

  • A novel TRAF protein, TRAF7, was identified, featuring a RING finger, zinc finger, and seven WD40 repeats.
  • TRAF7 specifically interacts with MEKK3, enhancing MEKK3-mediated AP1 and CHOP activation.
  • TRAF7 depletion via antisense RNA abrogated MEKK3-induced AP1 and CHOP activation.
  • Overexpression of TRAF7 triggered caspase-dependent apoptosis, with distinct domains mediating signaling and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • TRAF7 is a novel member of the TRAF family, playing a significant role in MEKK3 signaling.
  • TRAF7 is implicated in the regulation of AP1 and CHOP activation.
  • TRAF7 contributes to the induction of apoptosis through specific functional domains.

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