Hepatitis C virus core protein potentiates c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation through a signaling complex involving TRADD and TRAF2.
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is a multifunctional viral nucleocapsid protein. Previously, it has been demonstrated that the HCV core protein interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1). Since the TNFR1 is engaged in stimulation of transcriptional factor NF-kappaB and AP-1 through activation of IkappaB kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK, or stress-activated protein kinase), respectively, we have examined whether the interaction between core protein and TNFR1 can modulate JNK. In this study, we demonstrate that the HCV core protein synergistically activates TNFalpha-induced JNK at a core concentration dependent manner in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. HCV core-mediated synergism of JNK activation was also detected in stable cells expressing HCV core protein. Furthermore, we demonstrate that HCV core protein does not compete with TNF receptor-associated death domain (TRADD) for its interaction with the death domain of TNFR1. Our in vivo data show that HCV core and TRADD form a ternary complex with TNFR1. These findings suggest that the HCV core protein modulates TNFR1 signaling and may, thus, play a role in chronic infection of HCV patients.
Institute of Environment and Life Science, The Hallym Academy of Sciences, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.
K J
KJ
Park
S H
SH
Choi
M S
MS
Koh
D J
DJ
Kim
S W
SW
Yie
S Y
SY
Lee
S B
SB
Hwang
D017209:Apoptosis; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011506:Proteins; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases