Expression of ring finger-deleted TRAF2 sensitizes metastatic melanoma cells to apoptosis via up-regulation of p38, TNFα and suppression of NF-κB activities

Mechanisms underlying radiation and chemotherapy resistance, the hallmark of human melanoma, are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that expression levels of signal adaptor protein TRAF2 coincide with melanoma resistance to UV-irradiation. Altered TRAF2 signaling by a form of TRAF2, which lacks the ring finger domain (TRAF2 DeltaN), increases activities of p38 MAPK, ATF2, and the level of TNF alpha expression. Forced expression of TRAF2 DeltaN in HHMSX highly metastatic melanoma cells that lack Fas expression and thus utilize the TNF alpha -TNFR1 as the major apoptotic pathway sensitized cells to UV-induced apoptosis, An over twofold increase in degree of apoptosis was observed in TRAF2 DeltaN expressing cells that were treated with actinomycin D, anisomycin or with the radiomimetic drug neocarzinostatin, Sensitization by TRAF2 DeltaN is selective since it was not observed in response to either Taxol or cis-platinum treatment. TRAF2 DeltaN effects are primarily mediated via p38 since inhibition of p38 reduces, whereas activation of p38 promotes the level of UV-induced apoptosis, Conversely, activation of IKK attenuates the sensitization of melanoma by TRAF2 DeltaN, indicating that p38-mediated suppression of NF-kappaB activity is among TRAF2 DeltaN effects. Our finding identifies p38, TNF alpha and NF-kappaB among key players that efficiently sensitizes melanoma cells to UV-, ribotoxic (anisomycin) and radiomimetic chemicals-induced programmed cell death in response to aberrant TRAF2 signaling.