PRAK Interacts with DJ-1 and Prevents Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death

Abstract

As a core member of p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway, p38 regulated/activated kinase (PRAK) is activated by cellular stresses. However, the function of PRAK and its downstream interacting partner remain undefined. Using a yeast two-hybrid system, we identified DJ-1 as a potential PRAK interacting protein. We further verified that DJ-1 bound to PRAKin vitroandin vivoand colocalized with PRAK in the nuclei of NIH3T3 cells. Furthermore, following H2O2stimulation the majority of endogenous DJ-1 in PRAK+/+cells still remained in the nucleus, whereas most DJ-1 in PRAK−/−cells translocated from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, indicating that PRAK is essential for DJ-1 to localize in the nucleus. In addition, PRAK-associated phosphorylation of DJ-1 was observedin vitroandin vivoof H2O2-challenged PRAK+/+cells. Cytoplasmic translocation of DJ-1 in H2O2-treated PRAK−/−cells lost its ability to sequester Daxx, a death protein, in the nucleus, and as a result, Daxx gained access to the cytoplasm and triggered cell death. These data highlight that DJ-1 is the downstream interacting target for PRAK, and in response to oxidative stress PRAK may exert a cytoprotective effect by facilitating DJ-1 to sequester Daxx in the nucleus, thus preventing cell death.