Ubiquitin conjugation is involved in many critical biological processes, such as cell cycle control, gene transcription, and signal transduction. Dysregulation of the ubiquitin system has been implicated in major human diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and immune diseases. The long-term goal of our research is the understanding of protein ubiquitination in the regulation of immune responses. Particularly, we have studied two critical E3 ligases Itch and Cbl-b in immune regulation and have made significant progress during the current funding period, which establish these E3 ligases as the critical regulators in T cell activation, differentiation, and tolerance induction. This application of competitive renewal is based on recent novel preliminary results, which let us put forward a working hypothesis that unconventional K33- linked polyubiquitination and its reversal plays a critical role in immune regulation. We propose two Specific Aims to test this hypothesis by using a combination of biochemical, molecular, genetic, and proteomic approaches. First we plan to identify and characterize K33-linked substrates involved in the regulation of T cells. Second, we will study the process of deubiquitination in the removal of K33-linked ubiquitin chains and the biological function in T cells. The proposal will investigate the basic mechanisms of ubiquitin conjugation pathway in regulating signal transduction in the context of T cell activation and tolerance. The knowledge and outcomes obtained from this application will provide a new paradigm of the ubiquitin system in immune regulation, and at the same time, should be helpful in the rationale design of novel therapeutic approaches or intervention strategies to immunological diseases.

Public Health Relevance

The process of protein ubiquitination and its reversal control many biological processes, including the proper immune responses. This application is focused on molecular mechanisms to modulate the protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination in the context of T cell activation and tolerance induction. In addition to advancing basic biomedical knowledge, the expected outcomes will lay foundation to new therapeutic strategies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI062969-09
Application #
8580548
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Immunology - B Study Section (CMIB)
Program Officer
Lapham, Cheryl K
Project Start
2004-07-01
Project End
2015-11-30
Budget Start
2013-12-01
Budget End
2014-11-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$409,050
Indirect Cost
$184,050
Name
La Jolla Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
603880287
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
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Aki, Daisuke; Zhang, Wen; Liu, Yun-Cai (2015) The E3 ligase Itch in immune regulation and beyond. Immunol Rev 266:6-26
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Jin, Hyung-seung; Liao, Lujian; Park, Yoon et al. (2013) Neddylation pathway regulates T-cell function by targeting an adaptor protein Shc and a protein kinase Erk signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:624-9
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Huang, Haining; Jeon, Myung-Shin; Liao, Lujian et al. (2010) K33-linked polyubiquitination of T cell receptor-zeta regulates proteolysis-independent T cell signaling. Immunity 33:60-70
Su, Jin; Liu, Yun-Cai (2010) Foxp3 positive regulatory T cells: a functional regulation by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch. Semin Immunopathol 32:149-56

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