The CLRX.1/NOD24 (NLRP2P) pseudogene codes a functional negative regulator of NF-κB, pyrin-only protein 4

Genes Immun. 2014 Sep;15(6):392-403. doi: 10.1038/gene.2014.30. Epub 2014 May 29.

Abstract

Pseudogenes are duplicated yet defunct copies of functional parent genes. However, some pseudogenes have gained or retained function. In this study, we consider a functional role for the NLRP2-related, higher primate-specific, processed pseudogene NLRP2P, which is closely related to Pyrin-only protein 2 (POP2/PYDC2), a regulator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the inflammasome. The NLRP2P open-reading frame on chromosome X has features consistent with a processed pseudogene (retrotransposon), yet encodes a 45-amino-acid, Pyrin-domain-related protein. The open-reading frame of NLRP2P shares 80% identity with POP2 and is under purifying selection across Old World primates. Although widely expressed, NLRP2P messenger RNA is upregulated by lipopolysaccharide in human monocytic cells. Functionally, NLRP2P impairs NF-κB p65 transactivation by reducing activating phosphorylation of RelA/p65. Reminiscent of POP2, NLRP2P reduces production of the NF-κB-dependent cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 following toll-like receptor stimulation. In contrast to POP2, NLRP2P fails to inhibit the ASC-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome. In addition, beyond regulating cytokine production, NLRP2P has a potential role in cell cycle regulation and cell death. Collectively, our findings suggest that NLRP2P is a resurrected processed pseudogene that regulates NF-κB RelA/p65 activity and thus represents the newest member of the POP family, POP4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phosphorylation
  • Pseudogenes / genetics*
  • RNA Interference
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Retroelements / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor RelA / genetics*
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NLRP2 protein, human
  • NLRP4 protein, human
  • RELA protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Retroelements
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Serine