The ubiquitin ligase Itch mediates the antiapoptotic activity of epidermal growth factor by promoting the ubiquitylation and degradation of the truncated C-terminal portion of Bid

Abstract

The truncated C-terminal portion of Bid (tBid) is an important intermediate in ligand-induced apoptosis. tBid has been shown to be sensitive to proteasomal inhibitors and downregulated by activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway. Here, we provide evidence that tBid is a substrate of the ubiquitin ligase Itch, which can specifically interact with and ubiquitinate tBid, but not intact Bid. Consistently, overexpression of Itch increases cell survival and inhibits caspase 3 activity, whereas downregulation of Itch by RNA interference has the opposite effect, increasing cell death and apoptosis. Treatment with EGF increases Itch phosphorylation and activity, and Itch expression is important for the ability of EGF to increase cell survival after tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand treatment. Our findings identify Itch as a key molecule between EGF signalling and resistance to apoptosis through downregulation of tBid, providing further details on how EGF receptor and proteasome inhibitors can contribute to the induction of apoptosis and the treatment of cancer.