Effect of inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 2 on transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 and NF-kappaB
Bei H Morrison1, Joseph A Bauer, Joseph A Lupica
1Center for Hematology and Oncology Molecular Therapeutics, Taussig Cancer Center, and Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Abstract:
We previously showed that inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 2 (IHPK2) functions as a growth-suppressive and apoptosis-enhancing kinase during cell stress. Overexpression of IHPK2 sensitized ovarian carcinoma cell lines to the growth-suppressive and apoptotic effects of interferon beta (IFN-beta), IFN-alpha2, and gamma-irradiation. Expression of a kinase-dead mutant abrogated 50% of the apoptosis induced by IFN-beta. Because the kinase-dead mutant retained significant response to cell stressors, we hypothesized that a portion of the death-promoting function of IHPK2 was independent of its kinase activity. We now demonstrate that IHPK2 binds to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 2 and interferes with phosphorylation of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), thereby inhibiting NF-kappaB signaling. IHPK2 contains two sites required for TRAF2 binding, Ser-347 and Ser-359. Compared with wild type IHPK2-transfected cells, cells expressing S347A and S359A mutations displayed 3.5-fold greater TAK1 activation following TNF-alpha. This mutant demonstrated a 6-10-fold increase in NF-kappaB DNA binding following TNF-alpha compared with wild type IHPK2-expressing cells in which NF-kappaB DNA binding was inhibited. Cells transfected with wild type IHPK2 or IHPK2 mutants that lacked S347A and S359A mutations displayed enhanced terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling staining following TNF-alpha. We believe that IHPK2-TRAF2 binding leads to attenuation of TAK1- and NF-kappaB-mediated signaling and is partially responsible for the apoptotic activity of IHPK2.
Insights
Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 2 (IHPK2) suppresses tumor growth by binding TRAF2, inhibiting NF-kappaB signaling, and promoting apoptosis, partly independent of its kinase activity.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 2 (IHPK2) is a kinase that promotes apoptosis and suppresses growth during cellular stress.
- Previous studies showed IHPK2 overexpression sensitizes ovarian carcinoma cells to interferons and gamma-irradiation.
- A kinase-dead IHPK2 mutant retained partial apoptosis-inducing function, suggesting a kinase-independent mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the kinase-independent, death-promoting functions of IHPK2.
- To elucidate the interaction between IHPK2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2).
- To determine the role of IHPK2-TRAF2 binding in regulating NF-kappaB signaling and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Transfection of ovarian carcinoma cells with wild-type IHPK2 and specific mutants (S347A, S359A).
- Assessment of IHPK2 binding to TRAF2.
- Measurement of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) phosphorylation and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity following TNF-alpha stimulation.
- Evaluation of apoptosis using terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay.
Main Results:
- IHPK2 binds to TRAF2, with Ser-347 and Ser-359 identified as crucial binding sites.
- Mutations at Ser-347 and Ser-359 (S347A/S359A) abrogated IHPK2's ability to inhibit TAK1 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB signaling.
- Cells expressing wild-type IHPK2 or non-inhibitory mutants showed increased apoptosis upon TNF-alpha treatment compared to cells with the S347A/S359A mutant.
- IHPK2-TRAF2 binding inhibits TAK1/NF-kappaB signaling, contributing to IHPK2-mediated apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- IHPK2 interacts with TRAF2 through specific serine residues (Ser-347, Ser-359).
- This interaction inhibits the TAK1/NF-kappaB pathway, a mechanism partially responsible for IHPK2's pro-apoptotic function.
- IHPK2 possesses both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent functions in regulating cell death and growth suppression.
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