Activation of the Iκb kinase complex by TRAF6 requires a dimeric ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme complex and a unique polyubiquitin chain

Li Deng, Chen Wang, Erika Spencer, Liyong Yang, Amy Braun, Jianxin You, Clive Slaughter, Cecile Pickart, Zhijian J. Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1541 Scopus citations

Abstract

TRAF6 is a signal transducer in the NF-κB pathway that activates IκB kinase (IKK) in response to proinflammatory cytokines. We have purified a heterodimeric protein complex that links TRAF6 to IKK activation. Peptide mass fingerprinting analysis reveals that this complex is composed of the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme Ubc13 and the Ubc-like protein Uev1A. We find that TRAF6, a RING domain protein, functions together with Ubc13/Uev1A to catalyze the synthesis of unique polyubiquitin chains linked through lysine-63 (K63) of ubiquitin. Blockade of this polyubiquitin chain synthesis, but not inhibition of the proteasome, prevents the activation of IKK by TRAF6. These results unveil a new regulatory function for ubiquitin, in which IKK is activated through the assembly of K63-linked polyubiquitin chains.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)351-361
Number of pages11
JournalCell
Volume103
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 13 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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