CARMA2sh and ULK2 control pathogen-associated molecular patterns recognition in human keratinocytes: psoriasis-linked CARMA2sh mutants escape ULK2 censorship

Cell Death Dis. 2017 Feb 23;8(2):e2627. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2017.51.

Abstract

The molecular complexes formed by specific members of the family of CARMA proteins, the CARD domain-containing adapter molecule BCL10 and MALT1 (CBM complex) represent a central hub in regulating activation of the pleiotropic transcription factor NF-κB. Recently, missense mutations in CARMA2sh have been shown to cause psoriasis in a dominant manner and with high penetrancy. Here, we demonstrate that in human keratinocytes CARMA2sh plays an essential role in the signal transduction pathway that connects pathogen-associated molecular patterns recognition to NF-κB activation. We also find that the serine/threonine kinase ULK2 binds to and phosphorylates CARMA2sh, thereby inhibiting its capacity to activate NF-κB by promoting lysosomal degradation of BCL10, which is essential for CARMA2sh-mediated NF-κB signaling. Remarkably, CARMA2sh mutants associated with psoriasis escape ULK2 inhibition. Finally, we show that a peptide blocking CARD-mediated BCL10 interactions reduces the capacity of psoriasis-linked CARMA2sh mutants to activate NF-κB. Our work elucidates a fundamental signaling mechanism operating in human keratinocytes and opens to novel potential tools for the therapeutical treatment of human skin disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • B-Cell CLL-Lymphoma 10 Protein
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Guanylate Cyclase / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Psoriasis / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • B-Cell CLL-Lymphoma 10 Protein
  • BCL10 protein, human
  • CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Ulk2 protein, human
  • CARD14 protein, human
  • Guanylate Cyclase