TRAF3 regulates the oncogenic proteins Pim2 and c-Myc to restrain survival in normal and malignant B cells

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 9;9(1):12884. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-49390-9.

Abstract

TRAF3 is a versatile intracellular adapter protein with multiple context-specific roles. Uniquely in B cells, TRAF3 deficiency enhances survival and increases the risk of transformation, as loss of TRAF3 is observed in several types of B cell cancers. Here, we report a new mechanism for TRAF3 in the restraint of B cell survival. We found that TRAF3 deficiency was associated with induction of the pro-survival kinase Pim2 in mouse primary B cells and human malignant B cell lines. The increase in Pim2 was independent of NF-κB2 activation but was ameliorated with inhibition of STAT3 expression or function. TRAF3 deficiency also led to a Pim2-dependent increase in c-Myc protein levels and was associated with reduced c-Myc ubiquitination. TRAF3-deficient primary B cells were less sensitive to cell death induced by the Pim inhibitors SGI-1776 and TP-3654. Interestingly, human malignant B cell lines with low expression of TRAF3 were more sensitive to Pim inhibition-induced cell death. Combination treatment of TRAF3-deficient B cells and B cell tumor lines with c-Myc inhibitors enhanced their sensitivity to Pim inhibition, suggesting a possible therapeutic strategy. TRAF3 thus suppresses a Pim2-mediated B cell survival axis, which can be a potential target for treatment of B cell malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / deficiency
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / metabolism*

Substances

  • MYC protein, human
  • PIM2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases