| |
| author |
Arman Sawhney
| | title |
Investigating Intrinsic Immune Functions of IFI16 and IFIX
| | abstract |
Scientists have recently identified IFI16 as a Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR) that
senses foreign DNA. In this role, it plays an important part in the initiation of the innate
immune response to many viral infections. Along with its innate immune function, IFI16
has been implicated in various other immune functions largely involved in intracellular
defense from viral infection. These immune functions are categorized as intrinsic immune
functions. A family member of IFI16, known as IFIX, has significant structural
similarities to IFI16, and has also been identified as a PRR for foreign DNA. Unlike
IFI16, however, the intrinsic immune functions of IFIX have not been as extensively
explored. This study, therefore, aimed to explore in greater detail the similarities between
IFI16 and IFIX in order to better explore the individual roles they play in immune
response to viral infection. We started by performing a phylogenetic analysis on the
primate orthologs of IFI16 and IFIX, through which we identified multiple duplication
events that led to the emergence of two IFI-like PYHIN proteins in lemurs and simians,
respectively. From there, we went on to explore a specific immune function of IFI16: the
inhibition of the HIV-1 promoter, the Long Terminal Repeat (LTR). We correctly
hypothesized that given the structural and functional similarities between IFI16 and IFIX,
they would share in their inhibitory function of the LTR. We then went on to show that
IFIX binds to APOBEC3A, a cytosine deaminase that also inhibits the LTR and had been
shown previously to physically interact with IFI16. From these data we concluded that
IFIX like IFI16 likely plays a role in intrinsic immune defense against HIV-1, and likely
has other intrinsic immune functions as well.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.S. (2021)
|
| advisor |
Brianne Barker
|
| committee |
Steve Dunaway
Tina McKittrick
|
| full text | ASawhney.pdf |
| |
