Understanding the novel regulatory mechanism of transcription factors in innate immune responses

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860368
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Immunology
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: BAN Tatsuma 横浜市立大学, 医学部, 助教 (50635357)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 自然免疫応答 / 転写因子 / 自己免疫疾患 / 全身性エリテマトーデス / 翻訳後修飾 / IRF5

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Innate immune system is critical for the host defense against pathogens. However, a failure of its regulatory mechanism triggers the pathogenesis of diseases such as autoimmune disorders. In this study, we investigated the activation and suppression mechanisms of IRF5, a transcription factor important for the innate immune responses. As a result, we found that IRF5 is activated through ubiquitination followed by phosphorylation, and that an IRF5-binding protein Lyn suppresses these post-translational modifications, thereby preventing the hyperactivation of IRF5. Our findings might facilitate the development of new therapeutics for the diseases that target IRF5, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Free Research Field

免疫学