From death receptor to reactive oxygen species and c‐Jun N‐terminal protein kinase: the receptor‐interacting protein 1 odyssey

Abstract

Summary: Death receptors (DRs) are more than simple killers: they control cell growth, proliferation, and survival, thereby playing a pivotal role in immune and inflammatory responses. Some of these phenomena might be explained by aberrant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and metabolism, which can lead to oxidative stress. A key signaling molecule of DR‐initiated intracellular pathways, receptor‐interacting protein 1 (RIP1), orchestrates a complex control of multiple responses and may link DR‐associated signaling complexes to ROS production by mitochondria. Yet, RIP1 is also an important regulator of endogenous anti‐oxidants and ROS scavenging enzymes, because it is required for nuclear factor κB activation that results in expression of anti‐apoptotic and anti‐oxidant proteins. Alteration of RIP1 function may result in ROS accumulation and abnormal c‐Jun N‐terminal protein kinase activation, affecting inflammatory responses, innate immunity, stress responses, and cell survival. These molecular mechanisms may be involved in neoplastic, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases.