Evolutionary plasticity in the innate immune function of Akirin

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Item Type:

Article

Title:

Evolutionary plasticity in the innate immune function of Akirin

Creators Name:

Polanowska, J. and Chen, J.X. and Soulé, J. and Omi, S. and Belougne, J. and Taffoni, C. and Pujol, N. and Selbach, M. and Zugasti, O. and Ewbank, J.J.

Abstract:

Eukaryotic gene expression requires the coordinated action of transcription factors, chromatin remodelling complexes and RNA polymerase. The conserved nuclear protein Akirin plays a central role in immune gene expression in insects and mammals, linking the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodelling complex with the transcription factor NFκB. Although nematodes lack NFκB, Akirin is also indispensable for the expression of defence genes in the epidermis of Caenorhabditis elegans following natural fungal infection. Through a combination of reverse genetics and biochemistry, we discovered that in C. elegans Akirin has conserved its role of bridging chromatin-remodellers and transcription factors, but that the identity of its functional partners is different since it forms a physical complex with NuRD proteins and the POU-class transcription factor CEH-18. In addition to providing a substantial step forward in our understanding of innate immune gene regulation in C. elegans, our results give insight into the molecular evolution of lineage-specific signalling pathways.

Keywords:

Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins, Cell Cycle Proteins, Chromatin, Chromatin Assembly And Disassembly, Gene Expression Regulation, Genetically Modified, Animals, Homeodomain Proteins, Innate, Immunity, Mi-2 Nucleosome Remodeling And Deacetylase Complex, Molecular, Evolution, Protein Binding, Transcription Factors, Animals, Caenorhabditis elegans

Source:

PLoS Genetics

ISSN:

1553-7404

Publisher:

Public Library of Science

Volume:

Number:

Page Range:

e1007494

Date:

23 July 2018