UBXN3B positively regulates STING-mediated antiviral immune responses

Nat Commun. 2018 Jun 13;9(1):2329. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04759-8.

Abstract

The ubiquitin regulatory X domain-containing proteins (UBXNs) are likely involved in diverse biological processes. Their physiological functions, however, remain largely unknown. Here we present physiological evidence that UBXN3B positively regulates stimulator-of-interferon genes (STING) signaling. We employ a tamoxifen-inducible Cre-LoxP approach to generate systemic Ubxn3b knockout in adult mice as the Ubxn3b-null mutation is embryonically lethal. Ubxn3b-/-, like Sting-/- mice, are highly susceptible to lethal herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection, which is correlated with deficient immune responses when compared to Ubxn3b+/+ littermates. HSV-1 and STING agonist-induced immune responses are also reduced in several mouse and human Ubxn3b-/- primary cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that UBXN3B interacts with both STING and its E3 ligase TRIM56, and facilitates STING ubiquitination, dimerization, trafficking, and consequent recruitment and phosphorylation of TBK1. These results provide physiological evidence that links the UBXN family with antiviral immune responses.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / deficiency
  • Blood Proteins / genetics
  • Blood Proteins / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination
  • Vesiculovirus / immunology
  • Vesiculovirus / pathogenicity

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • FAF2 protein, human
  • Interferon Type I
  • Membrane Proteins
  • STING1 protein, human
  • Sting1 protein, mouse
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • UBXD8 protein, mouse
  • TRIM56 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Tbk1 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TBK1 protein, human