title: LMP1 signaling and activation of NF-kappaB in LMP1 transgenic mice.
abstract: Transgenic mice expressing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) under the control of an immunoglobulin heavy-chain promoter and enhancer develop lymphoma at a threefold higher incidence than LMP1-negative mice. In vitro, LMP1 activates numerous signaling pathways including p38, c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and NF-kappaB through interactions with tumor necrosis receptor-associated factors (TRAFs). These pathways are frequently activated in EBV-associated malignancies, although their activation cannot be definitively linked to LMP1 expression in vivo. In this study, interactions between LMP1 and TRAFs and the activation of PI3K/Akt, JNK, p38, and NF-kappaB were examined in LMP1 transgenic mice. LMP1 co-immunoprecipitated with TRAFs 1, 2, and 3. Akt, JNK, and p38 were activated in LMP1-positive and -negative splenocytes as well as LMP1-positive and -negative lymphomas. Multiple forms of NF-kappaB were activated in healthy splenocytes from LMP1 transgenic mice, in contrast to healthy splenocytes from LMP1-negative mice. However, in both LMP1-positive and -negative lymphomas, only the oncogenic NF-kappaB c-Rel, was specifically activated. Similarly to EBV-associated malignancies, p53 protein was detected at high levels in the transgenic lymphomas, although mutations were not detected in the p53 gene. These data indicate that NF-kappaB is activated in LMP1-positive healthy splenocytes; however, NF-kappaB c-Rel is specifically activated in both the transgenic lymphomas and in the rare lymphomas that develop in negative mice. The LMP1-mediated activation of NF-kappaB may contribute to the specific activation of c-Rel and lead to the increased development of lymphoma in the LMP1 transgenic mice.
authors.affiliation: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7925, USA.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Thornburg
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kulwichit
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: K H Y
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Shair
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bendt
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raab-Traub
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D058534:Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D020573:Genes, rel / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D048008:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; C484380:PDLIM7 protein, human; C497593:RELB protein, human; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D047990:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2; D048008:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D051841:Transcription Factor RelB; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D058534:Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; C484760:PIK3CA protein, human; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases