To determine possible consequences of PRMT1 inhibition, we performed a bioinformatics search and identified the E3-ubiq-uitin ligase, TRAF6, a key component of antibacterial TLR signaling, as check details a possible methylation target of PRMT1. Patients with cirrhosis have a well-known defect in the clearance of bacterial infections and are at high risk for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). The AIMS of this study were to determine

whether TRAF6 is regulated by arginine methylation and if this mechanism contributes to susceptibility to SBP in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: TRAF6 methylation was measured by IP and immunoblotting as well as MS/MS proteomics. NF-κB responses were measured by luciferase reporters, mRNA expression and p65 nuclear translocation. Liver samples were obtained from transplant explants of cirrhotic patients with ascites with or without a history of SBP. Cell culture studies were performed

in Huh7 hepatoma cells and THP monocytes. RESULTS: Under basal conditions TRAF6 was arginine methylated at R88 and R125 in a PRMT1-dependent fashion. Meth-ylation inhibited TRAF6 ubiquitin ligase activity and kept www.selleckchem.com/products/gsk1120212-jtp-74057.html the TLR pathway inactive under basal conditions. In response to TLR ligands, TRAF6 was rapidly demethylated. Ligand-induced demethylation required the activity of the jumonji domain protein JMJD6, a histone arginine demethylase, and was necessary for maximal activation of NF-κB. Loss of PRMT1 led to a decrease in TRAF6 methylation, partial pre-activation of selleck chemical the TLR pathway in the absence of ligand, and failure to generate a robust NF-κB response to TLR ligands. We defined a “methylation potential” in human liver as the ratio

of PRMT1/ JMJD6. In normal liver PRMT1/JMJD6 ratio was 2.24±1.09 (n=20) whereas the ratio was 0.92±0.48 (n=11) in cirrhosis without SBP and 0.43±0.16 (n=11) in cirrhosis with SBP (P<0.001). Low PRMT1/JMJD6 ratio correlated with elevated pathway pre-activation as measured by the level of nuclear p65. CONCLUSION: Arginine methylation is a novel mechanism that regulates TLR signaling by inhibiting TRAF6. It serves to keep the pathway inactive at baseline, a condition that is necessary for optimal TLR responses. Patients with cirrhosis have decreased hepatic PRMT1 leading to pathway pre-activa-tion and impaired ligand responses. This defect is significantly worse in patients with a documented history of SBP. Defective arginine methylation is therefore a newly described mechanism for the infection susceptibility of cirrhosis.

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