The coiled-coil domain of TRAF6 is essential for its auto-ubiquitination

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Nov 5;324(1):432-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.070.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a crucial signaling transducer that regulates a diverse array of physiological processes, including adaptive immunity, innate immunity, and bone metabolism. Importantly, it is essential for activating NF-kappaB signaling pathway in response to interleukin-1 and Toll-like receptor ligands. Previously, we characterized TRAF6 to be a ubiquitin ligase. In combination with the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme complex Ubc13/Uev1A, TRAF6 could catalyze the formation on itself of unique Lys-63 linked polyubiquitin chain that positively regulated NF-kappaB signaling pathway. However, it remains unknown how this auto-ubiquitination process is regulated. In this study, we found that the coiled-coil domain of TRAF6 was essential for its auto-ubiquitination and activating NF-kappaB signaling pathway. This domain served not as the specific target where the polyubiquitin chain was linked, but as a specific bridge to recruit Ubc13/Uev1A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Secondary*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / chemistry*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / genetics
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / genetics
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism*

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • Ubiquitin
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • CHUK protein, human
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • IKBKB protein, human
  • IKBKE protein, human
  • Lysine