IκB Kinase Subunits α and γ Are Required for Activation of NF-κB and Induction of Apoptosis by Mammalian Reovirus

Abstract

Reoviruses induce apoptosis both in cultured cells and in vivo. Apoptosis plays a major role in the pathogenesis of reovirus encephalitis and myocarditis in infected mice. Reovirus-induced apoptosis is dependent on the activation of transcription factor NF-κB and downstream cellular genes. To better understand the mechanism of NF-κB activation by reovirus, NF-κB signaling intermediates under reovirus control were investigated at the level of Rel, IκB, and IκB kinase (IKK) proteins. We found that reovirus infection leads initially to nuclear translocation of p50 and RelA, followed by delayed mobilization of c-Rel and p52. This biphasic pattern of Rel protein activation is associated with the degradation of the NF-κB inhibitor IκBα but not the structurally related inhibitors IκBβ or IκBε. Using IKK subunit-specific small interfering RNAs and cells deficient in individual IKK subunits, we demonstrate that IKKα but not IKKβ is required for reovirus-induced NF-κB activation and apoptosis. Despite the preferential usage of IKKα, both NF-κB activation and apoptosis were attenuated in cells lacking IKKγ/Nemo, an essential regulatory subunit of IKKβ. Moreover, deletion of the gene encoding NF-κB-inducing kinase, which is known to modulate IKKα function, had no inhibitory effect on either response in reovirus-infected cells. Collectively, these findings indicate a novel pathway of NF-κB/Rel activation involving IKKα and IKKγ/Nemo, which together mediate the expression of downstream proapoptotic genes in reovirus-infected cells.