It has been demonstrated from studies using NF-kappaB inhibitors that NF-kappaB may be involved in the iNOS induction stimulated by cytokines and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in various cell types and tissues. However, the actions of the inhibitors are less selective and highly cytotoxic. We constructed stable clones of C6 cells transfected with two types of IkappaBalpha mutant genes (IkappaBalpha(SS --> AA); Ser-32/36 to Ala-32/36, IkappaBalpha(KK --> RR); Lys-21/22 to Arg-21/22). IkappaBalpha(SS --> AA) strongly inhibited (1) LPS-, IL-1beta-, and TNF-alpha-induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappaB to the kappaB site; and (2) iNOS induction stimulated by LPS or IL-1beta plus IFN-gamma. These results indicate that NF-kappaB plays a critical role in cytokines and/or LPS-induced iNOS induction. Surprisingly, similar to the endogenous IkappaBalpha, IkappaBalpha(KK --> RR) was degraded by various stimuli, and proteasome inhibitors blocked this event. These results suggest that another Lys residue(s), other than Lys-21/22, may be required for the ligand-induced IkappaBalpha degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.