NOD2-C2 - a novel NOD2 isoform activating NF-kappaB in a muramyl dipeptide-independent manner

• Published in: BMC research notes 2010-08, Vol.3, p.224-224
• Main Authors: Kramer, Marcel, Boeck, Janne, Reichenbach, Daniela, Kaether, Christoph, Schreiber, Stefan, Platzer, Matthias, Rosenstiel, Philip, Huse, Klaus
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-3-224

The innate immune system employs several receptor families that form the basis of sensing pathogen-associated molecular patterns. NOD (nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain) like receptors (NLRs) comprise a group of cytosolic proteins that trigger protective responses upon recognition of intracellular danger signals. NOD2 displays a tandem caspase recruitment domain (CARD) architecture, which is unique within the NLR family. Here, we report a novel alternative transcript of the NOD2 gene, which codes for a truncated tandem CARD only protein, called NOD2-C2. The transcript isoform is highest expressed in leucocytes, a natural barrier against pathogen invasion, and is strictly linked to promoter usage as well as predominantly to one allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2067085. Contrary to a previously identified truncated single CARD NOD2 isoform, NOD2-S, NOD2-C2 is able to activate NF-kappaB in a dose dependent manner independently of muramyl dipeptide (MDP). On the other hand NOD2-C2 competes with MDPs ability to activate the NOD2-driven NF-kappaB signaling cascade. NOD2 transcripts having included an alternative exon downstream of exon 3 (exon 3a) are the endogenous equivalents of a previously described in vitro construct with the putative protein composed of only the two N-terminal CARDs. This protein form (NOD2-C2) activates NF-kappaB independent of an MDP stimulus and is a potential regulator of NOD2 signaling.