Defective Rho GTPase regulation by IL-1 beta-converting enzyme-mediated cleavage of D4 GDP dissociation inhibitor.

Abstract

GTPases of the Rho family regulate many aspects of inflammatory cell activity, including motility, formation of toxic oxygen metabolites, and generation of proinflammatory cytokines. Defective regulation of such signaling pathways leads to a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, although the mechanisms by which this occurs have not been well defined. We describe in this work specific proteolytic cleavage of D4 GDI, a critical regulator of Rho GTPase activity in inflammatory leukocytes, by IL-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE). Cleavage of D4 GDI by ICE occurs at Asp55, leading to the formation of the truncated D4 that is unable to effectively bind and regulate GTPases of the Rho family. Our data suggest that activation of ICE protease(s) at inflammatory sites leads to defective Rho GTPase regulation. Release of these critical regulatory proteins may contribute substantially to the inflammatory response at these sites, exacerbating and perpetuating the resulting tissue damage.