Research

Publications
Title: FTR33, a member of fish-specific TRIM (finTRIM) subfamily, regulates negatively type I IFN antiviral immunity in zebrafish
First author: Huang, Lin; Zhang, Lin; Huo, Hui Jun; Hou, Jing; Niu, Meng Meng; Nie, Pin; Chen, Shan Nan
Journal: DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
Years: 2023
Volume / issue: /
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104671
Abstract: In mammals, the tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins have been identified as critical factors involved in various cellular processes, including antiviral immunity. In teleost fish, a subfamily of fish-specific TRIM (finTRIM, FTR) has emerged in genus-or species-specific duplication. In this study, a finTRIM gene, called ftr33, was identified in zebrafish (Danio rerio), and phylogenic analysis revealed that FTR33 is closely related with zebrafish FTR14. The FTR33 protein contains all conservative domains reported in other finTRIMs. The ftr33 has a constitutive expression in embryos and in tissues/organs of adult fish, and its expression can be induced following spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) infection and interferon (IFN) stimulation. The overexpression of FTR33 signifi-cantly downregulated the expression of type I IFNs and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) both in vitro and in vivo, respectively, leading to the increased replication of SVCV. It was also found that FTR33 interacted with mela-noma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) or mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein (MAVS) to weaken the promoter activity of type I IFN. It is thus concluded that the FTR33, as an ISG, in zebrafish can negatively regulate IFN-mediated antiviral response.