Characterization of TRAF6 mediated ubiquitination of presenilins and γ-secretase substrates

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2013
Authors
Yan, Run
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Post-translational modification of the γ-secretase protease complexes and their substrates has an important role in controlling receptor-initiated signalling events, which are critically important in the pathogenesis of cancer, inflammatory and Alzheimer’s disease. Our lab has previously characterised an interaction between TRAF6 and presenilin-1, which lead to the identification of interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) as novel γ-secretase substrates. Subsequently our group showed that TRAF6 promoted ubiquitination and γ-secretase cleavage of IL-1R1. The aim of this project is to study the association between TRAF6 and the presenilins, the critical γ-secretase complex components, and to determine the functional importance of TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of γ-secretase substrates. Firstly, we show that the full-length presenilins are novel substrates of TRAF6-mediated Lysine-63-linked polyubiquitination. Secondly, we show that co-expression of TRAF6 and the presenilins increases the stability and alters the turnover of the presenilins. Thirdly, we reveal that TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of presenilin does not affect γ-secretase enzyme activity, but may regulate the full-length presenilin functions such as ER Ca2+ signalling. Previously, we have reported IL-1R1 as a novel substrate of TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination. In this study, we identified five lysine residues in the IL-1R1 intracellular domain targeted by TRAF6-mediated polyubiquitination. Furthermore, mutagenesis of these five lysine residues led to decreased IL-1R1 cell surface expression, precluded the ectodomain shedding and attenuated the responsiveness to IL-1β stimulation, demonstrating the critical role of TRAF6 in IL-1R1 trafficking.
Description
Keywords
Presenilin , Gamma-secretase , TRAF6 , Ubiquitination , Regulated intramembrane proteolysis
Citation
Yan, R. 2013. Characterization of TRAF6 mediated ubiquitination of presenilins and γ-secretase substrates. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.
Link to publisher’s version