Regulation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 degradation by Gα13

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK1) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) that transduces apoptotic signals from a variety of stresses. We have shown previously that alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G12 and G13 proteins stimulate ASK1 kinase activity and ASK1-dependent apoptosis (1). Here, we report a novel mechanism of G-protein-dependent regulation of ASK1. We demonstrated that G alpha 13 forms a complex with ASK1 in an activation-independent manner. Both N-and C-terminal regulatory domains of ASK1 were essential for the efficient interaction, while its kinase domain was not required. Formation of the G alpha 13-ASK1 complex was enhanced by JNK-interacting leucine zipper protein, JLP. Constitutively activated G alpha 13Q226L increased ASK1 expression. Short-term activation of a serotonin 5-HT4 receptor that is coupled to G alpha 13 also increased ASK1 expression. Importantly, prolonged activation of 5-HT4 receptor in COS-7 cells or prolonged treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with thrombin concomitantly down-regulated both G alpha 13 and ASK1. Data showed that G alpha 13Q226L reduced the rate of ASK1 degradation, decreased ASK1 ubiquitination, and reduced association of ASK1 with an E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP, previously shown to mediate ASK1 degradation. Our findings indicate that ASK1 expression levels can be regulated by G alpha 13, at least in part via control of ASK1 ubiquitination and degradation.