UBE3A regulates the transcription of IRF, an antiviral immunity

UBE3A is a gene responsible for the pathogenesis of Angelman syndrome (AS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms such as intellectual disability, delayed development and severe speech impairment. UBE3A encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase, for which several targets have been identified, including synaptic molecules. Although proteolysis mainly occurs in the cytoplasm, UBE3A is localized to the cytoplasm and the nucleus. In fact, UBE3A is also known as a transcriptional regulator of the family of nuclear receptors. However, the function of UBE3A in the nucleus remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the involvement of UBE3A in transcription in the nuclei of neurons. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis revealed an enrichment of genes downstream of interferon regulatory factor (IRF) in a UBE3A-deficient AS mouse model. In vitro biochemical analyses further demonstrated that UBE3A interacted with IRF and, more importantly, that UBE3A enhanced IRF-dependent transcription. These results suggest a function for UBE3A as a transcriptional regulator of the immune system in the brain. These findings also provide informative molecular insights into the function of UBE3A in the brain and in AS pathogenesis.