ISG15 modification of filamin B negatively regulates the type I interferon-induced JNK signalling pathway

EMBO Rep. 2009 Apr;10(4):374-80. doi: 10.1038/embor.2009.23. Epub 2009 Mar 6.

Abstract

Interferon (IFN)-induced signalling pathways have essential functions in innate immune responses. In response to type I IFNs, filamin B tethers RAC1 and a Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) module--MEKK1, MKK4 and JNK--and thereby promotes the activation of JNK and JNK-mediated apoptosis. Here, we show that type I IFNs induce the conjugation of filamin B by interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15). ISGylation of filamin B led to the release of RAC1, MEKK1 and MKK4 from the scaffold protein and thus to the prevention of sequential activation of the JNK cascade. By contrast, blockade of filamin B ISGylation by substitution of Lys 2467 with arginine or by knockdown of ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1-like (UBEL1) prevented the release of the signalling molecules from filamin B, resulting in persistent promotion of JNK activation and JNK-mediated apoptosis. These results indicate that filamin B ISGylation acts as a negative feedback regulatory gate for the desensitization of type I IFN-induced JNK signalling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Line
  • Contractile Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Filamins
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Interferon Type I / pharmacology*
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / metabolism
  • Ubiquitins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Contractile Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Filamins
  • Interferon Type I
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Ubiquitins
  • ISG15 protein, human
  • UBE2L6 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases