HSCARG negatively regulates the cellular antiviral RIG-I like receptor signaling pathway by inhibiting TRAF3 ubiquitination via recruiting OTUB1

PLoS Pathog. 2014 Apr 24;10(4):e1004041. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004041. eCollection 2014 Apr.

Abstract

RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) recognize cytosolic viral RNA and initiate innate immunity; they increase the production of type I interferon (IFN) and the transcription of a series of antiviral genes to protect the host organism. Accurate regulation of the RLR pathway is important for avoiding tissue injury induced by excessive immune response. HSCARG is a newly reported negative regulator of NF-κB. Here we demonstrated that HSCARG participates in innate immunity. HSCARG inhibited the cellular antiviral response in an NF-κB independent manner, whereas deficiency of HSCARG had an opposite effect. After viral infection, HSCARG interacted with tumor necrosis receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) and inhibited its ubiquitination by promoting the recruitment of OTUB1 to TRAF3. Knockout of HSCARG attenuated the de-ubiquitination of TRAF3 by OTUB1, and knockdown of OTUB1 abolished the effect of HSCARG. HSCARG also interacted with Ikappa-B kinase epsilon (IKKε) after viral infection and impaired the association between TRAF3 and IKKε, which further decreased the phosphorylation of IKKε and interferon response factor 3 (IRF3), thus suppressed the dimerization and nuclear translocation of IRF3. Moreover, knockdown of TRAF3 dampened the inhibitory effect of IFN-β transcription by HSCARG, suggesting that TRAF3 is necessary for HSCARG to down-regulate RLR pathway. This study demonstrated that HSCARG is a negative regulator that enables balanced antiviral innate immunity.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / immunology
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / immunology
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • Deubiquitinating Enzymes
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase / genetics
  • I-kappa B Kinase / immunology
  • I-kappa B Kinase / metabolism
  • Immunity, Innate
  • RNA Virus Infections / genetics
  • RNA Virus Infections / immunology
  • RNA Virus Infections / metabolism
  • RNA Viruses / genetics
  • RNA Viruses / immunology
  • RNA Viruses / metabolism
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / immunology
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / genetics
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / immunology
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3 / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination / physiology*

Substances

  • NMRAL1 protein, human
  • RNA, Viral
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3
  • TRAF3 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • Deubiquitinating Enzymes
  • OTUB1 protein, human
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • RIGI protein, human
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases