Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

A Guide to Production, Crystallization, and Structure Determination of Human IKK1/α
Published on: November 2, 2018
Ymer acts as a multifunctional regulator in nuclear factor-κB and Fas signaling pathways
Tadasuke Tsukiyama1, Mayuko Matsuda-Tsukiyama, Miyuki Bohgaki
1Department of Biochemistry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
Abstract:
The nuclear factor (NF)-κB family of transcription factors regulates diverse cellular functions, including inflammation, oncogenesis and apoptosis. It was reported that A20 plays a critical role in the termination of NF-κB signaling after activation. Previously, we showed that Ymer interacts and collaborates with A20, followed by degradation of receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and attenuation of NF-κB signaling. Here we show the function of Ymer in regulation of several signaling pathways including NF-κB on the basis of results obtained by using Ymer transgenic (Ymer Tg) mice. Ymer Tg mice exhibited impaired immune responses, including NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, cell proliferation and cytokine production, to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, polyI:C or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Ymer Tg mice were more resistant to LPS-induced septic shock than wild-type mice. Transgene of Ymer inhibited the onset of glomerulonephritis in lpr/lpr mice as an autoimmune disease model. In contrast to the inflammatory immune response to LPS, Fas-mediated cell death was strongly induced in liver cells of Ymer Tg mice in which Ymer is abundantly expressed. These findings suggest that Ymer acts as a regulator downstream of several receptors and that Ymer functions as a positive or negative regulator in a signaling pathway-dependent manner.
Insights
Ymer regulates immune responses by modulating nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Ymer transgenic mice show altered immune cell function and disease resistance, indicating its complex role in cellular signaling.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Signaling
Background:
- Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factors control inflammation, oncogenesis, and apoptosis.
- A20 is crucial for terminating NF-κB signaling.
- Ymer was previously shown to interact with A20, leading to receptor-interacting protein (RIP) degradation and NF-κB attenuation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of Ymer in regulating various signaling pathways, including NF-κB.
- To analyze the impact of Ymer overexpression on immune responses and disease models using Ymer transgenic (Ymer Tg) mice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Ymer transgenic (Ymer Tg) mice to study Ymer's function.
- Stimulated Ymer Tg and wild-type mice with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), polyI:C, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Assessed immune responses including NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, cell proliferation, cytokine production, septic shock, glomerulonephritis, and Fas-mediated cell death.
Main Results:
- Ymer Tg mice displayed impaired immune responses (NF-κB, MAPK activation, proliferation, cytokine production) upon TNF-α, polyI:C, or LPS stimulation.
- Ymer Tg mice showed increased resistance to LPS-induced septic shock.
- Ymer transgene inhibited glomerulonephritis onset in lpr/lpr mice and strongly induced Fas-mediated cell death in liver cells.
- Ymer acts as a regulator downstream of several receptors, functioning in a pathway-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Ymer plays a significant role in regulating immune responses and cellular signaling.
- Ymer's function is context-dependent, acting as both a positive and negative regulator.
- Ymer influences inflammatory and apoptotic pathways, impacting disease susceptibility and progression.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
NF-kB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Co-activators and Co-repressors

