Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and their antagonists regulate spontaneous and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) play a major role in determining whether cells undergo apoptosis in response to TNF as well as other stimuli. However, TNF is also highly proinflammatory through its ability to trigger the secretion of multiple inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which is arguably the most important role of TNF in vivo. Indeed, deregulated production of TNF-induced cytokines is a major driver of inflammation in several autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we show that IAPs are required for the production of multiple TNF-induced proinflammatory mediators. Ablation or antagonism of IAPs potently suppressed TNF- or RIPK1-induced proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production. Surprisingly, IAP antagonism also led to spontaneous production of chemokines, particularly RANTES, in vitro and in vivo. Thus, IAPs play a major role in influencing the production of multiple inflammatory mediators, arguing that these proteins are important regulators of inflammation in addition to apoptosis. Furthermore, small molecule IAP antagonists can modulate spontaneous as well as TNF-induced inflammatory responses, which may have implications for use of these agents in therapeutic settings.

Abstract 2151: Activation of NF-kB and MAP kinases by TNF Family Receptors is regulated by cellular IAPs

Activation of NF-kB, JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways is innermost activity of TNF receptor protein signaling complexes that is important for proper function of the immune system. However, excessive activation of these signaling pathways may result in tumor development and progression. Therefore, elucidation of the detailed molecular mechanisms of TNF receptor signaling should gain advantage in our understanding of the tumor biology and invention of the novel anticancer therapies. The formation of TNF receptor complexes, as well structural and functional associations between different signaling molecules is regulated by ubiquitination in TRAF-dependent fashion. TNF receptors employ several proteins possessing ubiquitin E3 ligase activities including cellular Inhibitor of Apoptosis, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 proteins. We demonstrate that c-IAPs are required for canonical NF-kB and MAPK activation by TNF receptors. By regulating the recruitment of Nemo, IKK2 and HOIP to TNFR signaling complexes c-IAPs promote induction of gene expression by TNF ligands. We also found that TNF receptors that stimulate the noncanonical NF-kB pathway trigger c-IAPs, TRAF2 and TRAF3 intracellular translocation followed by their proteasomal and lysosomal degradation. Finally, we establish that BR3-induced cytosolic depletion of TRAF3 results in noncanonical NF-κB activation.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2151. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2151

Abstract 2278: Smac mimetic primes FADD- or caspase-8-deficient leukemia cells for TNFα-induced necroptosis and overcomes apoptosis resistance

Evasion of apoptosis contributes to treatment resistance, one of the major, yet unresolved obstacles in oncology. Searching for new strategies to bypass apoptosis resistance we investigated the potential of Smac mimetic in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells deficient in FADD or caspase-8. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that Smac mimetic primes apoptosis-resistant leukemia cells for TNFα-induced necroptosis as an alternative mode of cell death. The interaction of Smac mimetic and TNFα occurs is highly synergistic as calculated by combination index (CI <0.1). Kinetic analysis reveals that Smac mimetic and TNFα cause cell death rapidly within few hours. Interestingly, Smac mimetic- and TNFα-mediated cell death in FADD-deficient cells occurs without characteristic features of apoptosis, namely without caspase activation or DNA fragmentation, pointing to non-apoptotic cell death. In sharp contrast, Smac mimetic and TNFα trigger activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3 and DNA fragmentation in apoptosis-proficient wildtype cells that express FADD and caspase-8. Consistently, the caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk protects wildtype cells against Smac mimetic- and TNFα-triggered cell death, whereas zVAD.fmk fails to block cell death in FADD-deficient cells. Furthermore, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) precedes Smac mimetic- and TNFα-induced cell death in FADD-deficient cells. In line with the notion that ROS contributes to cell death induction, the addition of ROS scavengers (i.e. butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and trolox) or the addition of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyliodonium (DPI) significantly reduce cell death upon combination treatment. Moreover, Smac mimetic- and TNFα-triggered cell death is accompanied by enhanced RIP1 kinase activity in FADD-deficient cells. Of note, necrostatin-1, a RIP1 kinase inhibitor, reduces Smac mimetic- and TNFα-induced ROS generation and completely abolishes cell death in FADD-deficient cells, in accordance with necroptotic cell death. Importantly, Smac mimetic also sensitizes apoptosis-resistant, primary leukemic blasts derived from patients with ALL to TNFα-induced necroptosis, underscoring the clinical relevance of these findings. In conclusion, Smac mimetic primes leukemia cells to TNFα-induced apoptosis or necroptosis in a context-dependent manner. In apoptosis-proficient cells which express both FADD and caspase-8, Smac mimetic enhances TNFα-induced, caspase-dependent apoptosis. However in apoptosis-resistant cells lacking either FADD or caspase-8, Smac mimetic sensitizes cells for TNFα-initiated necroptosis that critically depends on RIP1 and ROS production. These findings have important implications for the therapeutic exploitation of necroptosis as an alternative cell death program to overcome apoptosis resistance of cancers.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2278. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2278

Discovery of a potent small-molecule antagonist of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins and clinical candidate for the treatment of cancer (GDC-0152)

A series of compounds were designed and synthesized as antagonists of cIAP1/2, ML-IAP, and XIAP based on the N-terminus, AVPI, of mature Smac. Compound 1 (GDC-0152) has the best profile of these compounds; it binds to the XIAP BIR3 domain, the BIR domain of ML-IAP, and the BIR3 domains of cIAP1 and cIAP2 with K(i) values of 28, 14, 17, and 43 nM, respectively. These compounds promote degradation of cIAP1, induce activation of caspase-3/7, and lead to decreased viability of breast cancer cells without affecting normal mammary epithelial cells. Compound 1 inhibits tumor growth when dosed orally in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenograft model. Compound 1 was advanced to human clinical trials, and it exhibited linear pharmacokinetics over the dose range (0.049 to 1.48 mg/kg) tested. Mean plasma clearance in humans was 9 ± 3 mL/min/kg, and the volume of distribution was 0.6 ± 0.2 L/kg.

Cellular inhibitors of apoptosis are global regulators of NF-κB and MAPK activation by members of the TNF family of receptors

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family members are essential for the development and proper functioning of the immune system. TNF receptor (TNFR) signaling is mediated through the assembly of protein signaling complexes that activate the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in a ubiquitin-dependent manner. The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (c-IAP) proteins c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 are E3 ubiquitin ligases that are recruited to TNFR signaling complexes through their constitutive association with the adaptor protein TNFR-associated factor 2 (TRAF2). We demonstrated that c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 were required for canonical activation of NF-κB and MAPK by members of the TNFR family. c-IAPs were required for the recruitment of inhibitor of κB kinase β (IKKβ), the IKK regulatory subunit NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), and RBCK1/Hoil1-interacting protein (HOIP) to TNFR signaling complexes and the induction of gene expression by TNF family members. In contrast, TNFRs that stimulated the noncanonical NF-κB pathway triggered translocation of c-IAPs, TRAF2, and TRAF3 from the cytosol to membrane fractions, which led to their proteasomal and lysosomal degradation. Finally, we established that signaling by B cell-activating factor receptor 3 induced the cytosolic depletion of TRAF3, which enabled noncanonical NF-κB activation. These results define c-IAP proteins as critical regulators of the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways by members of the TNFR superfamily.

Targeting IAP proteins for therapeutic intervention in cancer

Evasion of apoptosis is one of the crucial acquired capabilities used by cancer cells to fend off anticancer therapies. Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins exert a range of biological activities that promote cancer cell survival and proliferation. X chromosome-linked IAP is a direct inhibitor of caspases - pro-apoptotic executioner proteases - whereas cellular IAP proteins block the assembly of pro-apoptotic protein signalling complexes and mediate the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules. Furthermore, mutations, amplifications and chromosomal translocations of IAP genes are associated with various malignancies. Among the therapeutic strategies that have been designed to target IAP proteins, the most widely used approach is based on mimicking the IAP-binding motif of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC), which functions as an endogenous IAP antagonist. Alternative strategies include transcriptional repression and the use of antisense oligonucleotides. This Review provides an update on IAP protein biology as well as current and future perspectives on targeting IAP proteins for therapeutic intervention in human malignancies.

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins: fascinating biology leads to attractive tumor therapeutic targets

Cell death inhibition is a very successful strategy that cancer cells employ to combat the immune system and various anticancer therapies. Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins possess a wide range of biological activities that promote cancer survival and proliferation. One of them, X-chromosome-linked IAP is a direct inhibitor of proapoptotic executioners, caspases. Cellular IAP proteins regulate expression of antiapoptotic molecules and prevent assembly of proapoptotic protein signaling complexes, while survivin regulates cell division. In addition, amplifications, mutations and chromosomal translocations of IAP genes are associated with various malignancies. Several therapeutic strategies have been designed to target IAP proteins, including a small-molecule approach that is based on mimicking the IAP-binding motif of an endogenous IAP antagonist - the second mitochondrial activator of caspases. Other strategies involve antisense nucleotides and transcriptional repression. The main focus of this article is to provide an update on IAP protein biology and perspectives on the development of IAP-targeting therapeutics.

Ubiquitylation in apoptosis: a post-translational modification at the edge of life and death

The proper regulation of apoptosis is essential for the survival of multicellular organisms. Furthermore, excessive apoptosis can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, anaemia and graft rejection, and diminished apoptosis can lead to autoimmune diseases and cancer. It has become clear that the post-translational modification of apoptotic proteins by ubiquitylation regulates key components in cell death signalling cascades. For example, ubiquitin E3 ligases, such as MDM2 (which ubiquitylates p53) and inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, and deubiquitinases, such as A20 and ubiquitin-specific protease 9X (USP9X) (which regulate the ubiquitylation and degradation of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) and myeloid leukaemia cell differentiation 1 (MCL1), respectively), have important roles in apoptosis. Therapeutic agents that target apoptotic regulatory proteins, including those that are part of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, might afford clinical benefits.

Mechanisms of Cell Death and Disease: Advances in Therapeutic Intervention and Drug Discovery--ESH's Eighth International Conference. October 14-17, 2010, Cascais, Portugal

The Mechanisms of Cell Death and Disease: Advances in Therapeutic Intervention and Drug Discovery--ESH's Eighth International Conference, held in Cascais, Portugal, included topics covering new therapeutic developments in the field of cell death and cancer. This conference report highlights selected presentations on inhibiting the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, activating death receptors (DRs), and targeting ubiquitins and the Bcl-2 family. Investigational drugs discussed include LCL-161 (Novartis) and navitoclax (Abbott Laboratories/Genentech).

cIAP1 and TAK1 protect cells from TNF-induced necrosis by preventing RIP1/RIP3-dependent reactive oxygen species production

Three members of the IAP family (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins-1/-2 (cIAP1 and cIAP2)) are potent suppressors of apoptosis. Recent studies have shown that cIAP1 and cIAP2, unlike XIAP, are not direct caspase inhibitors, but block apoptosis by functioning as E3 ligases for effector caspases and receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1). cIAP-mediated polyubiquitination of RIP1 allows it to bind to the pro-survival kinase transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) which prevents it from activating caspase-8-dependent death, a process reverted by the de-ubiquitinase CYLD. RIP1 is also a regulator of necrosis, a caspase-independent type of cell death. Here, we show that cells depleted of the IAPs by treatment with the IAP antagonist BV6 are greatly sensitized to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced necrosis, but not to necrotic death induced by anti-Fas, poly(I:C) oxidative stress. Specific targeting of the IAPs by RNAi revealed that repression of cIAP1 is responsible for the sensitization. Similarly, lowering TAK1 levels or inhibiting its kinase activity sensitized cells to TNF-induced necrosis, whereas repressing CYLD had the opposite effect. We show that this sensitization to death is accompanied by enhanced RIP1 kinase activity, increased recruitment of RIP1 to Fas-associated via death domain and RIP3 (which allows necrosome formation), and elevated RIP1 kinase-dependent accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, our data indicate that cIAP1 and TAK1 protect cells from TNF-induced necrosis by preventing RIP1/RIP3-dependent ROS production.

Improved quantitative mass spectrometry methods for characterizing complex ubiquitin signals

Ubiquitinated substrates can be recruited to macromolecular complexes through interactions between their covalently bound ubiquitin (Ub) signals and Ub receptor proteins. To develop a functional understanding of the Ub system in vivo, methods are needed to determine the composition of Ub signals on individual substrates and in protein mixtures. Mass spectrometry has emerged as an important tool for characterizing the various forms of Ub. In the Ubiquitin-AQUA approach, synthetic isotopically labeled internal standard peptides are used to quantify unbranched peptides and the branched -GG signature peptides generated by trypsin digestion of Ub signals. Here we have built upon existing methods and established a comprehensive platform for the characterization of Ub signals. Digested peptides and isotopically labeled standards are analyzed either by selected reaction monitoring on a QTRAP mass spectrometer or by narrow window extracted ion chromatograms on a high resolution LTQ-Orbitrap. Additional peptides are now monitored to account for the N terminus of ubiquitin, linear polyUb chains, the peptides surrounding K33 and K48, and incomplete digestion products. Using this expanded battery of peptides, the total amount of Ub in a sample can be determined from multiple loci within the protein, minimizing possible confounding effects of complex Ub signals, digestion abnormalities, or use of mutant Ub in experiments. These methods have been useful for the characterization of in vitro, multistage ubiquitination and have now been extended to reactions catalyzed by multiple E2 enzymes. One question arising from in vitro studies is whether individual protein substrates in cells may be modified by multiple forms of polyUb. Here we have taken advantage of recently developed polyubiquitin linkage-specific antibodies recognizing K48- and K63-linked polyUb chains, coupled with these mass spectrometry methods, to further evaluate the abundance of mixed linkage Ub substrates in cultured mammalian cells. By combining these two powerful tools, we show that polyubiquitinated substrates purified from cells can be modified by mixtures of K48, K63, and K11 linkages.

Antagonists of IAP proteins as cancer therapeutics

Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins play pivotal roles in cellular survival by blocking apoptosis, modulating signal transduction, and affecting cellular proliferation. Through their interactions with inducers and effectors of apoptosis IAP proteins can effectively suppress apoptosis triggered by diverse stimuli including death receptor signaling, irradiation, chemotherapeutic agents, or growth factor withdrawal. Evasion of apoptosis, in part due to the action of IAP proteins, enhances resistance of cancer cells to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents and contributes to tumor progression. Additionally, IAP genes are known to be subject to amplification, mutation, and chromosomal translocation in human malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In this review we will discuss the role of IAP proteins in cancer and the development of antagonists targeting IAP proteins for cancer treatment.

Abstract 137: Targeting IAPs: NF-κB signaling pathways play a critical role in IAP antagonist induced apoptosis

Inhibition of apoptosis enhances the survival of cancer cells and facilitates their escape from immune surveillance and cytotoxic therapies. Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are anti-apoptotic regulators that block cell death in response to diverse stimuli. Because these proteins play an active role in promoting tumor maintenance, they are attractive targets for developing a novel class of cancer therapeutics. Through TRAF2 interactions, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 are recruited to tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)-associated protein complexes where they regulate receptor-mediated signaling. The ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of c-IAP1/2 regulates canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways by promoting ubiquitination of RIP1 and NIK. We have designed small-molecule IAP antagonists that bind with high affinities to select baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) domains of IAPs resulting in a dramatic induction of c-IAP auto-ubiquitination and rapid proteasomal degradation. Neutralization of c-IAPs through knockdown or small-molecule IAP antagonists blunts TNF stimulated NF-κB activation and greatly sensitizes cells to TNF induced cell death. Investigation of death receptor signaling complexes revealed that FLIP plays an important role in IAP antagonist stimulated apoptotic pathways and that down-regulation of FLIP sensitizes otherwise resistant cells to IAP antagonist induced cell death. In addition, regulation of NF-kB signaling pathways by cellular IAPs represents a pivotal point in IAP antagonists induced cell death. The interplay between pro-survival and pro-apoptotic signaling involves multiple levels of coordination and the regulation of these processes can determine the fate of treated cells. Finally, our IAP antagonists inhibit tumor growth in vivo as single agents and in combination with a number of standard of care anti-tumor agents including death receptor agonists. Interestingly, while single-agent activity of IAP antagonists relies on TNF signaling, the synergistic activity of IAP antagonists with FasL or anti-DR5 antibody does not depend on TNF signaling but on XIAP antagonism. Understanding the significance of protein stability and death receptors mediated pathways for inhibition of apoptosis by IAP proteins is important for the design of potent IAP-directed compounds. These compounds can be used in the treatment of malignancies in which IAP expression contributes to tumor progression and resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 137.

X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis regulates cell death induction by proapoptotic receptor agonists

Proapoptotic receptor agonists cause cellular demise through the activation of the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins block apoptosis induced by diverse stimuli. Here, we demonstrate that IAP antagonists in combination with Fas ligand (FasL) or the death receptor 5 (DR5) agonist antibody synergistically stimulate death in cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth. Single-agent activity of IAP antagonists relies on tumor necrosis factor-alpha signaling. By contrast, blockade of tumor necrosis factor-alpha does not affect the synergistic activity of IAP antagonists with FasL or DR5 agonist antibody. In most cancer cells, proapoptotic receptor agonist-induced cell death depends on amplifying the apoptotic signal via caspase-8-mediated activation of Bid and subsequent activation of the caspase-9-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In the investigated cancer cell lines, induction of apoptosis by FasL or DR5 agonist antibody can be inhibited by knockdown of Bid. However, knockdown of X chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP) or antagonism of XIAP allows FasL or DR5 agonist antibody to induce activation of effector caspases efficiently without the need for mitochondrial amplification of the apoptotic signal and thus rescues the effect of Bid knockdown in these cells.

Masking MALT1: the paracaspase's potential for cancer therapy

A key feature of aggressive B cell lymphomas is constitutive NF-κB activation, which requires signals from the CARD11–BCL-10–MALT1 (CMB) complex. The unique enzymatic activity of MALT1 degrades one of its binding partners, BCL-10, as well as the NF-κB inhibitor A20. New data shows that targeting MALT1 protease activity may be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating aggressive B cell lymphomas.

Antagonism of c-IAP and XIAP proteins is required for efficient induction of cell death by small-molecule IAP antagonists

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are critical regulators of cancer cell survival, which makes them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in cancers. Herein, we describe the structure-based design of IAP antagonists with high affinities and selectivity (>2000-fold) for c-IAP1 over XIAP and their functional characterization as activators of apoptosis in tumor cells. Although capable of inducing cell death and preventing clonogenic survival, c-IAP-selective antagonists are significantly less potent in promoting apoptosis when compared to pan-selective compounds. However, both pan-IAP- and c-IAP-selective antagonists stimulate c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 degradation and activation of NF-kappaB pathways with comparable potencies. Therefore, although compounds that specifically target c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 are capable of inducing apoptosis, antagonism of the c-IAP proteins and XIAP is required for efficient induction of cancer cell death by IAP antagonists.

Ubiquitin Ligases in Cancer: Ushers for Degradation

The regulated degradation of cellular proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system impacts a range of vital cellular processes in both normal and cancerous cells. An ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), and ubiquitin ligase (E3) catalyzes the conjugation of the protein ubiquitin to a target protein and, thereby, tags that protein for recognition and destruction by the proteasome. Ubiquitin ligases are particularly interesting because they determine substrate selection. This review examines the role of dysregulated ubiquitin ligase activity in the development and progression of various cancers, and highlights why ubiquitin ligases have emerged as extremely attractive targets for therapeutic intervention in a number of human malignancies.

Orally bioavailable antagonists of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins based on an azabicyclooctane scaffold

A series of IAP antagonists based on an azabicyclooctane scaffold was designed and synthesized. The most potent of these compounds, 14b, binds to the XIAP BIR3 domain, the BIR domain of ML-IAP, and the BIR3 domain of c-IAP1 with K(i) values of 140, 38, and 33 nM, respectively. These compounds promote degradation of c-IAP1, activate caspases, and lead to decreased viability of breast cancer cells without affecting normal mammary epithelial cells. Finally, compound 14b inhibits tumor growth when dosed orally in a breast cancer xenograft model.

Ubiquitin binding modulates IAP antagonist-stimulated proteasomal degradation of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2(1)

A family of anti-apoptotic regulators known as IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) proteins interact with multiple cellular partners and inhibit apoptosis induced by a variety of stimuli. c-IAP (cellular IAP) 1 and 2 are recruited to TNFR1 (tumour necrosis factor receptor 1)-associated signalling complexes, where they mediate receptor-induced NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) activation. Additionally, through their E3 ubiquitin ligase activities, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 promote proteasomal degradation of NIK (NF-kappaB-inducing kinase) and regulate the non-canonical NF-kappaB pathway. In the present paper, we describe a novel ubiquitin-binding domain of IAPs. The UBA (ubiquitin-associated) domain of IAPs is located between the BIR (baculovirus IAP repeat) domains and the CARD (caspase activation and recruitment domain) or the RING (really interesting new gene) domain of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 or XIAP (X-linked IAP) respectively. The c-IAP1 UBA domain binds mono-ubiquitin and Lys(48)- and Lys(63)-linked polyubiquitin chains with low-micromolar affinities as determined by surface plasmon resonance or isothermal titration calorimetry. NMR analysis of the c-IAP1 UBA domain-ubiquitin interaction reveals that this UBA domain binds the classical hydrophobic patch surrounding Ile(44) of ubiquitin. Mutations of critical amino acid residues in the highly conserved MGF (Met-Gly-Phe) binding loop of the UBA domain completely abrogate ubiquitin binding. These mutations in the UBA domain do not overtly affect the ubiquitin ligase activity of c-IAP1 or the participation of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 in the TNFR1 signalling complex. Treatment of cells with IAP antagonists leads to proteasomal degradation of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2. Deletion or mutation of the UBA domain decreases this degradation, probably by diminishing the interaction of the c-IAPs with the proteasome. These results suggest that ubiquitin binding may be an important mechanism for rapid turnover of auto-ubiquitinated c-IAP1 and c-IAP2.

c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 are critical mediators of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-induced NF-kappaB activation

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are a family of anti-apoptotic regulators found in viruses and metazoans. c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 are recruited to tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)-associated complexes where they can regulate receptor-mediated signaling. Both c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 have been implicated in TNFalpha-stimulated NF-kappaB activation. However, individual c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 gene knock-outs in mice did not reveal changes in TNF signaling pathways, and the phenotype of a combined deficiency of c-IAPs has yet to be reported. Here we investigate the role of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 in TNFalpha-stimulated activation of NF-kappaB. We demonstrate that TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation is severely diminished in the absence of both c-IAP proteins. In addition, combined absence of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 rendered cells sensitive to TNFalpha-induced cell death. Using cells with genetic ablation of c-IAP1 or cells where the c-IAP proteins were eliminated using IAP antagonists, we show that TNFalpha-induced RIP1 ubiquitination is abrogated in the absence of c-IAPs. Furthermore, we reconstitute the ubiquitination process with purified components in vitro and demonstrate that c-IAP1, in collaboration with the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (E2) enzyme UbcH5a, mediates polymerization of Lys-63-linked chains on RIP1. Therefore, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 are required for TNFalpha-stimulated RIP1 ubiquitination and NF-kappaB activation.

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor is a critical transcriptional regulator of melanoma inhibitor of apoptosis in melanomas

Melanoma inhibitor of apoptosis (ML-IAP) is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis, which is highly expressed in melanomas and likely contributes to their resistance to chemotherapeutic treatments. Herein, we show that the lineage survival oncogene microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a critical regulator of ML-IAP transcription in melanoma cells. The ML-IAP promoter contains two MITF consensus sites, and analysis of MITF and ML-IAP mRNA levels revealed a high correlation in melanoma tumor samples and cell lines. In reporter assays, MITF promoted a strong stimulation of transcriptional activity from the ML-IAP promoter, and MITF bound the endogenous ML-IAP promoter in melanoma cells by chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Strikingly, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of MITF in melanoma cells led to a dramatic decrease in ML-IAP mRNA and protein levels, establishing that ML-IAP expression in melanoma cells is MITF dependent. Additionally, cyclic AMP-mediated induction of MITF expression in melanocytes resulted in increased ML-IAP expression, suggesting that melanocytes can express ML-IAP when MITF levels are heightened. Disruption of MITF by siRNA led to a decrease in melanoma cell viability, which could be rescued by ectopic expression of ML-IAP. Collectively, these findings implicate MITF as a major transcriptional regulator of ML-IAP expression in melanomas, and suggest that ML-IAP contributes to the prosurvival activity of MITF in melanoma progression.

Targeting IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) proteins for therapeutic intervention in tumors

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a cell suicide process with a major role in development and homeostasis in vertebrates and invertebrates. Dysregulation of apoptosis leading to early cell death or the absence of normal cell death contributes to a number of disease conditions including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Inhibition of apoptosis enhances the survival of cancer cells and facilitates their escape from immune surveillance and cytotoxic therapies. Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, a family of anti-apoptotic regulators that block cell death in response to diverse stimuli through interactions with inducers and effectors of apoptosis are among the principal molecules contributing to this phenomenon. IAP proteins are expressed in the majority of human malignancies at elevated levels and play an active role in promoting tumor maintenance through the inhibition of cellular death and participation in signaling pathways associated with malignancies. Herein, the role of IAP proteins in cancer and strategies toward targeting IAP proteins for therapeutic intervention will be discussed.