Pyroptosis is a form of regulated cell death mediated by the gasdermin protein family. During virus infection, cell pyroptosis restricts viral replication. The mechanisms of the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) against viruses have been studied. The role of TRIMs and ISGs in pyroptosis remains unclear. In this study, we show that TRIM21 interacts with ISG12a in viral infection and facilitates its translocation into the mitochondria by promoting its ubiquitination, thereby causing caspase 3 activation. Gasdermin E (GSDME) is specifically cleaved by caspase 3 upon viral infection, releasing the GSDME N-terminal domain, perforating the cell membrane, and causing cell pyroptosis. Our study uncovers a new mechanism of TRIM21 and ISG12a in regulating virus-induced cell pyroptosis.
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