TAB2, TRAF6 and TAK1 are involved in NF-kappaB activation induced by the TNF-receptor, Edar and its adaptator Edaradd.

Activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by the TNF-receptor Edar (Ectodysplasin receptor) and its downstream adaptator Edaradd (Edar-associated death domain) is essential for the development of hair follicles, teeth, exocrine glands and other ectodermal derivatives. Dysfunction of Edar signalling causes hypohidrotic/anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (ED), a disorder characterized by sparse hair, lack of sweat glands and malformation of teeth. The Edar signalling pathway stimulates NF-kappaB transcription factors via an activation of the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex. To gain further insight into the mechanism of IKK activation by Edar and Edaradd, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen and isolated TAB2 (TAK1-binding protein 2) as a binding partner of Edaradd. TAB2 is an adaptator protein that brigdes TRAF6 (TNF-receptor-associated factor 6) to TAK1 (TGFbeta-activated kinase 1), allowing TAK1 activation and subsequent IKK activation. Here, we show that endogenous and overexpressed TAB2, TRAF6 and TAK1 co-immunoprecipitated with Edaradd in 293 cells. Moreover, we show that dominant negative forms of TAB2, TRAF6 and TAK1 blocked the NF-kappaB activation induced by Edaradd. These results support the involvement of the TAB2/TRAF6/TAK1 signalling complex in the Edar signal transduction pathway and have important implications for our understanding of NF-kappaB activation and EDs in human.