Nucleoredoxin Negatively Regulates Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling via Recruitment of Flightless-I to Myeloid Differentiation Primary Response Gene (88)

We previously characterized nucleoredoxin (NRX) as a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway through Dishevelled (Dvl). We perform a comprehensive search for other NRX-interacting proteins and identify Flightless-I (Fli-I) as a novel NRX-binding partner. Fli-I binds to NRX and other related proteins, such as Rod-derived cone viability factor (RdCVF), whereas Dvl binds only to NRX. Endogenous NRX and Fli-I in vivo interactions are confirmed. Both NRX and RdCVF link Fli-I with myeloid differentiation primary response gene (88) (MyD88), an important adaptor protein for innate immune response. NRX and RdCVF also potentiate the negative effect of Fli-I upon lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of NF-κB through the Toll-like receptor 4/MyD88 pathway. Embryonic fibroblasts derived from NRX gene-targeted mice show aberrant NF-κB activation upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These results suggest that the NRX subfamily of proteins forms a link between MyD88 and Fli-I to mediate negative regulation of the Toll-like receptor 4/MyD88 pathway.