hCINAP negatively regulates NF-κB signaling by recruiting the phosphatase PP1 to deactivate IKK complex.

Tight regulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling is essential to maintain homeostasis in immune system in response to various stimuli, which has been studied extensively and deeply. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for its negative regulation are not completely understood. Here we demonstrate that human coilin-interacting nuclear ATPase protein (hCINAP) is a novel negative regulator in NF-κB signaling by deactivating IκB kinase (IKK) complex. In response to TNF stimulation, hCINAP dynamically associates with IKKα and IKKβ and inhibits IKK phosphorylation. Notably, hCINAP directly interacts with the catalytic subunits of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and mediates the formation of IKK-hCINAP-PP1 complex, serving as an adaptor protein that recruits PP1 to dephosphorylate IKK. Furthermore, decreased levels of hCINAP are observed in several inflammatory diseases with NF-κB hyperactivity. Our study suggests a novel mechanism underlying deactivation of IKK and provides new insight into the negative regulation of NF-κB signaling.