Tripartite motif-containing protein 38 negatively regulates TLR3/4- and RIG-I-mediated IFN-β production and antiviral response by targeting NAP1

J Immunol. 2012 Jun 1;188(11):5311-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103506. Epub 2012 Apr 25.

Abstract

Recognition of RNA virus through TLR and RIG-I-like receptor results in rapid expression of type I IFNs, which play an essential role in host antiviral responses. However, the mechanisms to terminate the production of type I IFNs are not well defined. In the current study, we identified a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family, TRIM38, as a negative regulator in TLR3/4- and RIG-I-mediated IFN-β signaling. Knockdown of TRIM38 expression by small interfering RNA resulted in augmented activation of IFN regulatory factor 3 and enhanced expression of IFN-β, whereas overexpression of TRIM38 had opposite effects. Coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization experiments demonstrated that TRIM38 interacted with NF-κB-activating kinase-associated protein 1 (NAP1), which is required for TLR-induced IFN regulatory factor 3 activation and IFN-β production. As an E3 ligase, TRIM38 promoted K48-linked polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of NAP1. Thus, knockdown of TRIM38 expression resulted in higher protein level of NAP1 in primary macrophages. Consistent with the inhibitory roles in TLR3/4- and RIG-I-mediated IFN-β signaling, knockdown of TRIM38 significantly inhibited the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus. Overexpression of TRIM38 resulted in enhanced replication of vesicular stomatitis virus. Therefore, our results demonstrate that TRIM38 is a negative regulator for TLR and RIG-I-mediated IFN-β production by targeting NAP1 for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome-mediated degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / physiology
  • Down-Regulation / immunology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Interferon-beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Interferon-beta / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / physiology
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Ubiquitination / immunology
  • Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / immunology
  • Virus Replication / immunology*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nckap1 protein, mouse
  • TLR3 protein, mouse
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • Interferon-beta
  • TRIM38 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Ddx58 protein, mouse
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases