Stoven, S., Silverman, N., Junell, A., Hedengren-Olcott, M., Erturk, D., Engstrom, Y., Maniatis, T., Hultmark, D. (2003). Caspase-mediated processing of the Drosophila NF-κ B factor Relish. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100(10): 5991--5996.
FlyBase ID
FBrf0159307
Publication Type
Research paper
Abstract
The NF-kappaB-like transcription factor Relish plays a central role in the innate immune response of Drosophila. Unlike other NF-kappaB proteins, Relish is activated by endoproteolytic cleavage to generate a DNA-binding Rel homology domain and a stable IkappaB-like fragment. This signal-induced endoproteolysis requires the activity of several gene products, including the IkappaB kinase complex and the caspase Dredd. Here we used mutational analysis and protein microsequencing to demonstrate that a caspase target site, located in the linker region between the Rel and the IkappaB-like domain, is the site of signal-dependent cleavage. We also show physical interaction between Relish and Dredd, suggesting that Dredd indeed is the Relish endoprotease. In addition to the caspase target site, the C-terminal 107 aa of Relish are required for endoproteolysis and signal-dependent phosphorylation by the Drosophila IkappaB kinase beta. Finally, an N-terminal serine-rich region in Relish and the PEST domain were found to negatively regulate Relish activation.
