FinTRIMs, fish virus-inducible proteins with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity

TRIM proteins have recently emerged as novel players in antiviral defense. TRIM proteins contain a tri-partite motif, composed of a RING zinc finger, one or two B-boxes and a coiled-coil domain. Many members of this large protein family of E3 ubiquitin ligases catalyze the attachment of ubiquitin to a substrate protein, an activity dependent on the RING domain. We earlier made a full description of the TRIM gene family in zebrafish and pufferfish and identified three multigene TRIM subsets, a feature unique to fish. To determine their biological role, we further characterized members of the finTRIM subset. FinTRIM gene expression was studied during development and in multiple tissues in adult rainbow trout. Upregulation of a large number of finTRIM upon viral stimulation suggests they are involved in antiviral immunity. We also demonstrate that two finTRIM members display E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, indicating that finTRIMs could regulate antiviral signaling through ubiquitination.