The fully linked HTML version of this article has now been published.
JCS ePress
online publication date 10 Jun 2003
doi: 10.1242/jcs.00528
Research Article
The role of IFN
nuclear localization sequence in intracellular function
C.M. Iqbal Ahmed*,
Marjorie A. Burkhart,
Mustafa G. Mujtaba,
Prem S. Subramaniam,
and
Howard M. Johnson
* Author for correspondence (e-mail: ahmed1{at}ufl.edu)
Intracellularly expressed interferon
(IFN
) has been reported to possess biological activity similar to that of IFN
added to cells. This study addresses the mechanisms for such similar biological effects. Adenoviral vectors were used to express a non-secreted form of human IFN
or a non-secreted mutant form in which a previously demonstrated nuclear localization sequence (NLS), 128KTGKRKR134, was replaced with alanines at K and R positions. With the vector expressing non-secreted wild-type IFN
, biological responses normally associated with extracellular IFN
, such as antiviral activity and MHC class I upregulation, were observed, although the mutant IFN
did not possess biological activity. Intracellular human IFN
possessed biological activity in mouse L cells, which do not recognize extracellularly added human IFN
. Thus, the biological activity was not due to leakage of IFN
to the surroundings and subsequent interaction with the receptor on the cell surface. Biological function was associated with activation of STAT1
and nuclear translocation of IFN
, IFNGR1 and STAT1
. Immunoprecipitation of cellular extracts with antibody to the nuclear transporter NPI-1 showed the formation of a complex with IFN
-IFNGR1-STAT1
. To provide the physiological basis for these effects we show that extracellularly added IFN
possesses intracellular signaling activity that is NLS dependent, as suggested by our previous studies, and that this activity occurs via the receptor-mediated endocytosis of IFN
. The data are consistent with previous observations that the NLS of extracellularly added IFN
plays a role in IFN
signaling.

CiteULike
Complore
Connotea
Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Technorati
Twitter What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. Beurel and R. S. Jope
Differential Regulation of STAT Family Members by Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3
J. Biol. Chem.,
August 8, 2008;
283(32):
21934 - 21944.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. Wang, J. W. Holland, A. Carrington, J. Zou, and C. J. Secombes
Molecular and Functional Characterization of IL-15 in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: A Potent Inducer of IFN-{gamma} Expression in Spleen Leukocytes
J. Immunol.,
August 1, 2007;
179(3):
1475 - 1488.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. M. Ahmed, J. P. Martin, and H. M. Johnson
IFN Mimetic as a Therapeutic for Lethal Vaccinia Virus Infection: Possible Effects on Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses
J. Immunol.,
April 1, 2007;
178(7):
4576 - 4583.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. G. Mujtaba, C. B. Patel, R. A. Patel, L. O. Flowers, M. A. Burkhart, L. W. Waiboci, J. Martin, M. I. Haider, C. M. Ahmed, and H. M. Johnson
The Gamma Interferon (IFN-{gamma}) Mimetic Peptide IFN-{gamma}(95-133) Prevents Encephalomyocarditis Virus Infection both in Tissue Culture and in Mice.
Clin. Vaccine Immunol.,
August 1, 2006;
13(8):
944 - 952.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. M. I. Ahmed and H. M. Johnson
IFN-{gamma} and Its Receptor Subunit IFNGR1 Are Recruited to the IFN-{gamma}-Activated Sequence Element at the Promoter Site of IFN-{gamma}-Activated Genes: Evidence of Transactivational Activity in IFNGR1
J. Immunol.,
July 1, 2006;
177(1):
315 - 321.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. M. I. Ahmed, M. A. Burkhart, P. S. Subramaniam, M. G. Mujtaba, and H. M. Johnson
Peptide Mimetics of Gamma Interferon Possess Antiviral Properties against Vaccinia Virus and Other Viruses in the Presence of Poxvirus B8R Protein
J. Virol.,
May 1, 2005;
79(9):
5632 - 5639.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2003