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A High Resolution Method to Monitor Phosphorylation-dependent Activation of IRF3
Published on: January 24, 2016
Beta-coronaviruses exploit cellular stress responses by modulating TFEB and TFE3 activity
Pablo S Contreras1, Pablo J Tapia1, Eutteum Jeong1
1Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Beta-coronaviruses have emerged as a severe threat to global health. Undercovering the interplay between host and beta-coronaviruses is essential for understanding disease pathogenesis and developing efficient treatments. Here we report that the transcription factors TFEB and TFE3 translocate from the cytosol to the nucleus in response to beta-coronavirus infection by a mechanism that requires activation of calcineurin phosphatase. In the nucleus, TFEB and TFE3 bind to the promoter of multiple lysosomal and immune genes. Accordingly, MHV-induced upregulation of immune regulators is significantly decreased in TFEB/TFE3-depleted cells. Conversely, over-expression of either TFEB or TFE3 is sufficient to increase expression of several cytokines and chemokines. The reduced immune response observed in the absence of TFEB and TFE3 results in increased cellular survival of infected cells but also in reduced lysosomal exocytosis and decreased viral infectivity. These results suggest a central role of TFEB and TFE3 in cellular response to beta-coronavirus infection.
Insights
Transcription factors TFEB and TFE3 move to the nucleus during beta-coronavirus infection, regulating immune responses and cellular survival. This highlights their crucial role in host defense against these viruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Beta-coronaviruses pose significant global health risks.
- Understanding host-pathogen interactions is key for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of transcription factors TFEB and TFE3 in the cellular response to beta-coronavirus infection.
- To elucidate the mechanism of TFEB and TFE3 nuclear translocation and their downstream effects.
Main Methods:
- Studied nuclear translocation of TFEB and TFE3 upon beta-coronavirus infection.
- Investigated the role of calcineurin phosphatase in this process.
- Analyzed the binding of TFEB/TFE3 to lysosomal and immune gene promoters.
- Assessed immune gene expression in TFEB/TFE3-depleted and over-expressed cells.
Main Results:
- TFEB and TFE3 translocate to the nucleus via calcineurin activation during infection.
- These factors bind to promoters of lysosomal and immune genes.
- Depletion of TFEB/TFE3 reduces immune gene upregulation and viral infectivity.
- Over-expression of TFEB/TFE3 increases cytokine and chemokine expression.
Conclusions:
- TFEB and TFE3 play a central role in the cellular response to beta-coronavirus infection.
- Their nuclear translocation influences immune gene expression, lysosomal function, and viral infectivity.
- These findings offer insights into host-pathogen dynamics and potential therapeutic targets.
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