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Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes
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Post-translational Control of Intracellular Pathogen Sensing Pathways.
Cindy Chiang1, Michaela U Gack1
1Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Trends in Immunology
|November 20, 2016
Summary
Mammalian cells detect viral nucleic acids using sensors like cGAS and RLRs. Post-translational modifications fine-tune these innate immune responses for homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Mammalian cells possess intracellular sensors, including DNA sensors cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) and interferon gamma (IFNγ)-inducible protein 16 (IFI16), and viral RNA receptors of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) family.
- Upon detecting viral nucleic acids, these sensors initiate innate immune responses, leading to the upregulation of antiviral molecules, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and IFN-stimulated genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent advances in understanding how post-translational modifications (PTMs) and regulatory enzymes control the signaling pathways of RLRs, cGAS, and IFI16.
- To highlight the role of PTMs in regulating the 'tunable' cytokine response crucial for immune homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and studies.
- Analysis of signaling pathways regulated by PTMs in innate immune sensors.
Main Results:
- PTMs sophisticatedly regulate signal transduction initiated by innate immune sensors.
- Regulatory enzymes and PTMs control the signaling activity of RLRs, cGAS, and IFI16, as well as their adaptor proteins.
Conclusions:
- Post-translational modifications are critical for modulating the innate immune response to viral nucleic acids.
- Understanding these regulatory mechanisms is key to maintaining immune homeostasis and developing antiviral strategies.
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