Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein inhibits apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 function through direct interaction

J Biol Chem. 2010 Jan 1;285(1):54-70. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.045229. Epub 2009 Oct 30.

Abstract

Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) interacts with transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) receptors and inhibits TGF-beta signaling. Here, we identify STRAP as an interacting partner of ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1). The association between ASK1 and STRAP is mediated through the C-terminal domain of ASK1 and the fourth and sixth WD40 repeats of STRAP. Using cysteine-to-serine amino acid substitution mutants of ASK1 (C1005S, C1351S, C1360S, and C1351S/C1360S) and STRAP (C152S, C270S, and C152S/C270S), we demonstrated that Cys(1351) and Cys(1360) of ASK1 and Cys(152) and Cys(270) of STRAP are required for ASK1-STRAP binding. ASK1 phosphorylated STRAP at Thr(175) and Ser(179), suggesting a potential role for STRAP phosphorylation in ASK1 activity regulation. Expression of wild-type STRAP, but not STRAP mutants (C152S/C270S and T175A/S179A), inhibited ASK1-mediated signaling to both JNK and p38 kinases by stabilizing complex formation between ASK1 and its negative regulators, thioredoxin and 14-3-3, or decreasing complex formation between ASK1 and its substrate MKK3. In addition, STRAP suppressed H(2)O(2)-mediated apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner by inhibiting ASK1 activity through direct interaction. These results suggest that STRAP can act as a negative regulator of ASK1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 / chemistry
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphoserine / metabolism
  • Phosphothreonine / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • STRAP protein, human
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • VAC14 protein, human
  • Phosphothreonine
  • Phosphoserine
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5
  • MAP3K5 protein, human
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 3
  • Caspase 3