Forkhead box O (FOXO)3, a member of the FOXO family of transcription factors, plays key roles in various cellular processes, including development, longevity, reproduction, and metabolism. Recently, FOXO3 has also been shown to be involved in modulating the immune response. However, how FOXO3 regulates immunity and the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this study, we show that zebrafish (Danio rerio) foxo3b, an ortholog of mammalian FOXO3, is induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid stimulation and spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) infection. We found that foxo3b interacted with irf3 and irf7 to inhibit ifr3/irf7 transcriptional activity, thus resulting in suppression of SVCV or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid–induced IFN activation. By suppressing expression of key antiviral genes, foxo3b negatively regulated the cellular antiviral response. Furthermore, upon SVCV infection, the expression of the key antiviral genes was significantly enhanced in foxo3b-null zebrafish larvae compared with wild-type larvae. Additionally, the replication of SVCV was inhibited in foxo3b-null zebrafish larvae, leading to a higher survival rate. Our findings suggest that by suppressing irf3/irf7 activity, zebrafish foxo3b negatively regulates the antiviral response, implicating the vital role of the FOXO gene family in innate immunity.

The γ34.5 gene of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) encodes a virulence factor that promotes viral pathogenesis. Although it perturbs TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) in the complex network of innate immune pathways, the underlying mechanism is obscure. Here we report that HSV-1 γ34.5 targets stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in the intracellular DNA recognition pathway that regulates TBK1 activation. In virus-infected cells the γ34.5 protein associates with and inactivates STING, which leads to downregulation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and IFN responses. Importantly, HSV-1 γ34.5 disrupts translocation of STING from the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus, a process necessary to prime cellular immunity. Deletion of γ34.5 or its amino-terminal domain from HSV-1 abolishes the observed inhibitory activities. Consistently, an HSV mutant that lacks functional γ34.5 replicated less efficiently in STING than in STING mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Moreover, reconstituted expression of human STING in the STING cells activated IRF3 and reduced viral growth. These results suggest that control of the DNA sensing pathway by γ34.5 is advantageous to HSV infection. Viral inhibition of innate immunity contributes to herpes simplex virus pathogenesis. Although this complex process involves multiple factors, the underlying events remain unclear. We demonstrate that an HSV virulence factor γ34.5 precludes the activation of STING, a central adaptor in the intracellular DNA sensing pathway. Upon HSV infection, this viral protein engages with and inactivates STING. Consequently, it compromises host immunity and facilitates HSV replication. These observations uncover an HSV mechanism that is likely to mediate viral virulence.

The signaling of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is the host's first line of defense against microbial invasion. The mitochondrion is emerging as a critical platform for antiviral signal transduction. The regulatory role of mitochondria for TLR signaling remains to be explored. Here, we show that the mitochondrial outer-membrane protein MARCH5 positively regulates TLR7 signaling. Ectopic expression or knockdown of MARCH5 enhances or impairs NF-κB-mediated gene expression, respectively. MARCH5 interacts specifically with TANK, and this interaction is enhanced by R837 stimulation. MARCH5 catalyzes the K63-linked poly-ubiquitination of TANK on its Lysines 229, 233, 280, 302 and 306, thus impairing the ability of TANK to inhibit TRAF6. Mislocalization of MARCH5 abolishes its action on TANK, revealing the critical role of mitochondria in modulating innate immunity. Arguably, this represents the first study linking mitochondria to TLR signaling.

High-throughput profiling of in situ gene expression represents a major advance towards the systematic understanding of tissue complexity. Applied with enough capture area and high sample throughput it will help to define the spatio-temporal dynamics of gene expression in tissues and organisms. Yet, current technologies have considerable bottlenecks that limit widespread application. Here, we have combined DNA nanoball (DNB) patterned array chips and in situ RNA capture to develop Stereo-seq (Spatio-Temporal Enhanced REsolution Omics-sequencing). This approach allows high sample throughput transcriptomic profiling of histological sections at unprecedented (nanoscale) resolution with areas expandable to centimeter scale, high sensitivity and homogenous capture rate. As proof of principle, we applied Stereo-seq to the adult mouse brain and sagittal sections of E11.5 and E16.5 mouse embryos. Thanks to its unique features and amenability to additional modifications, Stereo-seq can pave the way for the systematic spatially resolved-omics characterization of tissues and organisms.

No abstract

The Us11 protein of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is an accessory factor with multiple functions. In virus-infected cells, it inhibits double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, RIG-I, and MDA-5. However, its precise role is incompletely defined. By screening a human cDNA library, we showed that the Us11 protein targets heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which inactivates TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and antiviral immunity. When ectopically expressed, HSV-1 Us11 precludes TBK1 from access to Hsp90 and interferon (IFN) promoter activation. Consistently, the Us11 protein, upon HSV infection, suppresses the expression of beta interferon (IFN-β), RANTES, and interferon-stimulated genes. This is mirrored by a blockade in the phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3. Mechanistically, the Us11 protein associates with endogenous Hsp90 to disrupt the Hsp90-TBK1 complex. Furthermore, Us11 induces destabilization of TBK1 through a proteasome-dependent pathway. Accordingly, Us11 expression facilitates HSV growth. In contrast, TBK1 expression restricts viral replication. These results suggest that control of TBK1 by Us11 promotes HSV-1 infection. TANK binding kinase 1 plays a key role in antiviral immunity. Although multiple factors are thought to participate in this process, the picture is obscure in herpes simplex virus infection. We demonstrated that the Us11 protein of HSV-1 forms a complex with heat shock protein 90, which inactivates TANK binding kinase 1 and IFN induction. As a result, expression of the Us11 protein promotes HSV replication. These experimental data provide a new insight into the molecular network of virus-host interactions.

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The monovalent cation proton antiporters (CPAs) play essential roles in plant nutrition, development, and signal transduction by regulating ion and pH homeostasis of the cell. The CPAs of plants include the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, K(+) efflux antiporter, and cation/H(+) exchanger families. However, currently, little is known about the CPA genes in Rosaceae species. In this study, 220 CPA genes were identified from five Rosaceae species (Pyrus bretschneideri, Malus domestica, Prunus persica, Fragaria vesca, and Prunus mume), and 53 of which came from P. bretschneideri. Phylogenetic, structure, collinearity, and gene expression analyses were conducted on the entire CPA genes of pear. Gene expression data showed that 35 and 37 CPA genes were expressed in pear fruit and pollen tubes, respectively. The transcript analysis of some CPA genes under abiotic stress conditions revealed that CPAs may play an important role in pollen tubes growth. The results presented here will be useful in improving understanding of the complexity of the CPA gene family and will promote functional characterization in future studies.