The ubiquitylation of IL-1β limits its cleavage by caspase-1 and targets it for proteasomal degradation.

ABSTRACT: Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is activated by inflammasome-associated caspase-1 in rare autoinflammatory conditions and in a variety of other inflammatory diseases. Therefore, IL-1β activity must be fine-tuned to enable anti-microbial responses whilst limiting collateral damage. Here, we show that precursor IL-1β is rapidly turned over by the proteasome and this correlates with its decoration by K11-linked, K63-linked and K48-linked ubiquitin chains. The ubiquitylation of IL-1β is not just a degradation signal triggered by inflammasome priming and activating stimuli, but also limits IL-1β cleavage by caspase-1. IL-1β K133 is modified by ubiquitin and forms a salt bridge with IL-1β D129. Loss of IL-1β K133 ubiquitylation, or disruption of the K133:D129 electrostatic interaction, stabilizes IL-1β.

SUBMITTER: Vijayaraj SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8113568 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature