Ubiquitination of gasdermin D N-terminal domain directs its membrane translocation and pore formation during pyroptosis

Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a critical pyroptosis mediator, consisting of one N-terminal pore-forming domain and one C-terminal auto-inhibitory domain. The free N-terminal domain (GD-NT), which is released through caspase-1/11 cleavage, exhibits distinct features from the full-length GSDMD (GD-FL), including oligomerization, membrane translocation, and pore-formation. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well elucidated. Here, we found that GD-NT, but not GD-FL, was massively ubiquitinated in cells. The K63-linked polyubiquitination of GD-NT at Lys236/237 (human/mouse), catalyzed by TRAF1, directly prompted its membrane translocation and pore-formation during pyroptosis. Inhibition of GD-NT ubiquitination via site-directed mutations or the UBA1 inhibitor PYR-41 suppressed cell death in several pyroptosis cell models. Additionally, applying PYR-41 in septic mice efficiently suppressed the release of IL-18 and TNFα. Thus, GD-NT ubiquitination is a key regulatory mechanism controlling its membrane localization and activation, which may provide a novel target for modulating immune activity in pyroptosis-related diseases.