The E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21 negatively regulates the innate immune response to intracellular double-stranded DNA

Nat Immunol. 2013 Feb;14(2):172-8. doi: 10.1038/ni.2492. Epub 2012 Dec 9.

Abstract

DDX41 is a sensor of intracellular double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) that triggers a type I interferon response via the signaling adaptor STING. We identified the E3 ligase TRIM21 as a DDX41-interacting protein and found that knockdown of or deficiency in TRIM21 resulted in enhanced type I interferon responses to intracellular dsDNA and DNA viruses. Overexpression of TRIM21 resulted in more degradation of DDX41 and less production of interferon-β (IFN-β) in response to intracellular dsDNA. The SPRY-PRY domain of TRIM21 interacted with the DEADc domain of DDX41. Lys9 and Lys115 of DDX41 were the targets of TRIM21-mediated ubiquitination. TRIM21 is therefore an interferon-inducible E3 ligase that induces the Lys48 (K48)-linked ubiquitination and degradation of DDX41 and negatively regulates the innate immune response to intracellular dsDNA.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / immunology*
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Dendritic Cells / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Interferon-beta / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-beta / immunology
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Orthoreovirus, Mammalian / physiology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteolysis
  • Ribonucleoproteins / deficiency
  • Ribonucleoproteins / genetics
  • Ribonucleoproteins / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Ubiquitination
  • Vesiculovirus / physiology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • SS-A antigen
  • Sting1 protein, mouse
  • Interferon-beta
  • DNA
  • Lysine