Human NLRP1 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 1) is an innate immune sensor predominantly expressed in the skin and airway epithelium. Here, we report that human NLRP1 senses the ultraviolet B (UVB)- and toxin-induced ribotoxic stress response (RSR). Biochemically, RSR leads to the direct hyperphosphorylation of a human-specific disordered linker region of NLRP1 (NLRP1DR) by MAP3K20/ZAKα kinase and its downstream effector, p38. Mutating a single ZAKα phosphorylation site in NLRP1DR abrogates UVB- and ribotoxin-driven pyroptosis in human keratinocytes. Moreover, fusing NLRP1DR to CARD8, which is insensitive to RSR by itself, creates a minimal inflammasome sensor for UVB and ribotoxins. These results provide insight into UVB sensing by human skin keratinocytes, identify several ribotoxins as NLRP1 agonists, and establish inflammasome-driven pyroptosis as an integral component of the RSR.
Inflammasomes , MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases , NLR Proteins , Pyroptosis , Ribosomes , Stress, Physiological , Anisomycin/toxicity , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Inflammasomes/drug effects , Inflammasomes/metabolism , Inflammasomes/radiation effects , Keratinocytes/drug effects , Keratinocytes/metabolism , Keratinocytes/radiation effects , MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/metabolism , Mutation , NLR Proteins/genetics , NLR Proteins/metabolism , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Phosphorylation/radiation effects , Pyroptosis/drug effects , Pyroptosis/radiation effects , Ribosomes/drug effects , Ribosomes/radiation effects , Ultraviolet Rays
Cilia and flagella are conserved eukaryotic organelles important for motility and sensory. The RanGTPase, best known for nucleocytoplasmic transport functions, may also play a role in protein trafficking into the specialized flagellar/ciliary compartments, although the regulatory mechanisms controlling Ran activity at the flagellum remain unclear. The unicellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei contains a single flagellum necessary for cell movement, division and morphogenesis. Correct flagellum functions require flagellar attachment to the cell body, which is mediated by a specialized flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) complex that is assembled together with the flagellum during the cell cycle. We have previously identified the leucine-rich-repeat protein 1 LRRP1 on a bi-lobe structure at the proximal base of flagellum and FAZ. LRRP1 is essential for bi-lobe and FAZ biogenesis, consequently affecting flagellum-driven cell motility and division. Here, we show that LRRP1 forms a complex with Ran and a Ran-binding protein, and regulates Ran-GTP hydrolysis in T. brucei. In addition to mitotic inhibition, depletion of Ran inhibits FAZ assembly in T. brucei, supporting the presence of a conserved mechanism that involves Ran in the regulation of flagellum functions in an early divergent eukaryote.
Flagella/metabolism , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Trypanosoma brucei brucei/metabolism , ran GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Molecular Sequence Data
