Tom70 mediates activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 on mitochondria

Cell Res. 2010 Sep;20(9):994-1011. doi: 10.1038/cr.2010.103. Epub 2010 Jul 13.

Abstract

Intracellular RNA viruses are sensed by receptors retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I)/melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) that trigger the formation of MAVS signal complex on mitochondria. Consequently, this leads to the activation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), both of which constitutively associate with cytosolic chaperone Hsp90. It remains largely unknown how MAVS activates TBK1/IRF3. In this study, we identified translocases of outer membrane 70 (Tom70), a mitochondrial import receptor, to interact with MAVS upon RNA virus infection. Ectopic expression or knockdown of Tom70 could enhance or impair IRF3-mediated gene expression, respectively. Mechanistically, the clamp domain (R192) of Tom70 interacts with the C-terminal motif (EEVD) of Hsp90, thus recruiting TBK1/IRF3 to mitochondria. Disruption of this interaction or mislocation of Tom70 sharply impairs activation of TBK1 and IRF3. Furthermore, host antiviral responses are significantly boosted or crippled in the presence or absence of Tom70. Collectively, our study characterizes Tom70 as a critical adaptor linking MAVS to TBK1/IRF3, revealing that mitochondrion is evolutionarily integrated with innate immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / metabolism*
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / physiology
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Sendai virus / immunology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • TOMM70 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TBK1 protein, human
  • RIGI protein, human
  • IFIH1 protein, human
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1