Molecular characterization and subcellular localization of Carassius auratus interferon regulatory factor-1

Interferon (IFN)-regulatory transcription factor-1 (IRF-1) has been studied in mammals and fish, but little is known about the relationship between its gene structure and nuclear localization of IRF-1 protein. In this study, a cDNA encoding Carassius auratus IRF-1 (CaIRF-1) was isolated from an interferon-producing cell line, C. auratus blastulae embryonic (CAB) cells, exposed to UV-inactivated grass carp hemorrhagic virus (GCHV). The CaIRF-1 genomic locus exhibits exon–intron arrangements similar to those of other vertebrate IRF-1 loci, with nine exons and eight introns, although together with pufferfish IRF-1, CaIRF-1 distinguishes itself from other vertebrate IRF-1 genes by a relatively compact genomic size. Similar to the known IRF-1 genes, CaIRF-1 is ubiquitously expressed, and is upregulated in vitro and in vivo in response to virus, Poly I:C, or CAB IFN-containing supernatant (ICS). Subcellular localization analysis confirms the nuclear distribution of CaIRF-1 protein, and reveals two nuclear localization signals (NLS), any one of which is sufficient for nuclear translocation of CaIRF-1. One NLS locates to amino acids 117–146, and appears to be the structural and functional equivalent of the NLS in mammalian IRF-1. The second NLS (amino acids 73–115) is found within the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of CaIRF-1, and contains two regions rich in basic amino acids (“95KDKSINK101” and “75KTWKANFR82”). In comparison with mammalian IRF-1, in which the corresponding amino acid stretch does not seem to drive nuclear translocation, five conserved basic amino acids (K75, K78, R82, K95, and K101) and one non-conserved basic amino acid (K97) are present in this NLS from CaIRF-1. This observation suggests that K97 of CaIRF-1 might be essential for the function of its second NLS, wherein the six basic amino acids might cooperate to drive CaIRF-1 to the nucleus. Therefore, the current study has revealed a new nuclear localization motif in the DBD of a vertebrate IRF-1.