PUMA amplifies necroptosis signaling by activating cytosolic DNA sensors

D Chen, J Tong, L Yang, L Wei… - Proceedings of the …, 2018 - National Acad Sciences
D Chen, J Tong, L Yang, L Wei, DB Stolz, J Yu, J Zhang, L Zhang
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2018National Acad Sciences
Necroptosis, a form of regulated necrotic cell death, is governed by RIP1/RIP3-mediated
activation of MLKL. However, the signaling process leading to necroptotic death remains to
be elucidated. In this study, we found that PUMA, a proapoptotic BH3-only Bcl-2 family
member, is transcriptionally activated in an RIP3/MLKL-dependent manner following
induction of necroptosis. The induction of PUMA, which is mediated by autocrine TNF-α and
enhanced NF-κB activity, contributes to necroptotic death in RIP3-expressing cells with …
Necroptosis, a form of regulated necrotic cell death, is governed by RIP1/RIP3-mediated activation of MLKL. However, the signaling process leading to necroptotic death remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that PUMA, a proapoptotic BH3-only Bcl-2 family member, is transcriptionally activated in an RIP3/MLKL-dependent manner following induction of necroptosis. The induction of PUMA, which is mediated by autocrine TNF-α and enhanced NF-κB activity, contributes to necroptotic death in RIP3-expressing cells with caspases inhibited. On induction, PUMA promotes the cytosolic release of mitochondrial DNA and activation of the DNA sensors DAI/Zbp1 and STING, leading to enhanced RIP3 and MLKL phosphorylation in a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, deletion of PUMA partially rescues necroptosis-mediated developmental defects in FADD-deficient embryos. Collectively, our results reveal a signal amplification mechanism mediated by PUMA and cytosolic DNA sensors that is involved in TNF-driven necroptotic death in vitro and in vivo.
National Acad Sciences