Poxvirus protein N1L targets the I-kappaB kinase complex, inhibits signaling to NF-kappaB by the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of receptors, and inhibits NF-kappaB and IRF3 signaling by toll-like receptors

J Biol Chem. 2004 Aug 27;279(35):36570-8. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M400567200. Epub 2004 Jun 23.

Abstract

Poxviruses encode proteins that suppress host immune responses, including secreted decoy receptors for pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and the vaccinia virus proteins A46R and A52R that inhibit intracellular signaling by members of the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) family. In vivo, the TLRs mediate the innate immune response by serving as pathogen recognition receptors, whose oligomerized intracellular Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domains can initiate innate immune signaling. A family of TIR domain-containing adapter molecules transduces signals from engaged receptors that ultimately activate NF-kappaB and/or interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Data base searches detected a significant similarity between the N1L protein of vaccinia virus and A52R, a poxvirus inhibitor of TIR signaling. Compared with other poxvirus virulence factors, the poxvirus N1L protein strongly affects virulence in vivo; however, the precise target of N1L was previously unknown. Here we show that N1L suppresses NF-kappaB activation following engagement of Toll/IL-1 receptors, tumor necrosis factor receptors, and lymphotoxin receptors. N1L inhibited receptor-, adapter-, TRAF-, and IKK-alpha and IKK-beta-dependent signaling to NF-kappaB. N1L associated with several components of the multisubunit I-kappaB kinase complex, most strongly associating with the kinase, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). Together these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that N1L disrupts signaling to NF-kappaB by Toll/IL-1Rs and TNF superfamily receptors by targeting the IKK complex for inhibition. Furthermore, N1L inhibited IRF3 signaling, which is also regulated by TBK1. These studies define a role for N1L as an immunomodulator of innate immunity by targeting components of NF-kappaB and IRF3 signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interleukin-1 / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Poxviridae / metabolism*
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • IRF3 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interleukin-1
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • N1L protein, Vaccinia virus
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Viral Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TBK1 protein, human
  • CHUK protein, human
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • IKBKB protein, human
  • IKBKE protein, human