Related Experiment Videos

Activation of SAPK/JNK by TNF receptor 1 through a noncytotoxic TRAF2-dependent pathway

G Natoli1, A Costanzo, A Ianni

  • 1Fondazione Andrea Cesalpino and Istituto di I Clinica Medica, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 10, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) signaling activates stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) via TRAF2, independent of apoptosis signaling through FADD. This pathway highlights distinct TNF-R1 signaling routes.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular signaling pathways
  • Molecular biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) mediates crucial cellular responses, including apoptosis and inflammation.
  • Distinct adaptor proteins, TRADD and FADD, are involved in TNF-R1 signaling, with TRADD-FADD mediating apoptosis.
  • TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is implicated in nuclear factor kappa B activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the specific pathways involved in TNF-R1-induced stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) activation.
  • To determine the role of TRAF2 and FADD in TNF-R1 signaling to SAPK.
  • To investigate whether SAPK activation is a prerequisite for TNF-R1-mediated apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized dominant-negative FADD mutants to block apoptosis.
  • Assessed SAPK activation in response to TNF-R1 stimulation.
  • Investigated the necessity and sufficiency of TRAF2 for SAPK activation.

Main Results:

  • TNF-R1-induced SAPK activation occurs through a TRAF2-dependent pathway.
  • TRAF2 is both sufficient and necessary for TNF-R1-mediated SAPK activation.
  • Inhibition of apoptosis by a dominant-negative FADD mutant did not affect SAPK activation.

Conclusions:

  • SAPK activation by TNF-R1 is mediated by a TRAF2-dependent pathway.
  • This SAPK activation pathway is distinct from and not required for TNF-R1-induced apoptosis.
  • TNF-R1 signaling diverges into separate pathways for apoptosis and SAPK activation.

Related Concept Videos