Genome-wide analysis identifies interleukin-10 mRNA as target of tristetraprolin

J Biol Chem. 2008 Apr 25;283(17):11689-99. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M709657200. Epub 2008 Feb 6.

Abstract

Tristetraprolin (TTP) is an RNA-binding protein required for the rapid degradation of mRNAs containing AU-rich elements. Targets regulated by TTP include the mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor-alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and immediate early response 3. To identify novel target mRNAs of TTP in macrophages, we used a genome-wide approach that combines RNA immunoprecipitation and microarray analysis. A list was compiled of 137 mRNAs that are associated with TTP with an estimated accuracy on the order of 90%. Sequence analysis revealed a highly significant enrichment of AU-rich element motifs, with AUUUA pentamers present in 96% and UUAUUUAUU nonamers present in 44% of TTP-associated mRNAs. We further show that IL-10 is a novel target regulated by TTP. IL-10 mRNA levels were found to be elevated because of a reduced decay rate in primary macrophages from TTP(-/-) mice. Our study demonstrates the importance of experimental approaches for identifying targets of RNA-binding proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genome*
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA Stability
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tristetraprolin / metabolism*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tristetraprolin
  • Interleukin-10