Irgm1 (LRG-47), a regulator of cell-autonomous immunity, does not localize to mycobacterial or listerial phagosomes in IFN-γ-induced mouse cells

J Immunol. 2013 Aug 15;191(4):1765-74. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300641. Epub 2013 Jul 10.

Abstract

The IFN-inducible protein Irgm1 (LRG-47) belongs to the family of immunity-related GTPases that function in cell-autonomous resistance against intracellular pathogens in mice. Irgm1 deficiency is associated with a severe immunodeficiency syndrome. The protein has been variously interpreted as a direct effector molecule on bacterial phagosomes or on other organelles or as an inducer of autophagy. In this study, we re-examined one of these claims, namely that Irgm1 targets mycobacterial and listerial phagosomes. We found no colocalization of endogenous Irgm1, using two immunofluorescent staining techniques, either in fibroblasts or in macrophages. We demonstrated the predicted existence of two protein isoforms of Irgm1 derived from differential splicing and described immunological reagents for their detection. Both Irgm1 isoforms localize to the Golgi apparatus and weakly to mitochondria; however, only the long Irgm1 isoforms can be detected on endolysosomal membranes. Together with the previous observation that the general immunodeficiency phenotype of Irgm1(-/-) mice is reversed in Irgm1/Irgm3 double-deficient mice, our results argue against a direct effector function of Irgm1 at the bacterial phagosome. We discuss these findings in the context of evidence that Irgm1 functions as a negative regulator of other members of the immunity-related GTPase protein family.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Cell Line
  • Fibroblasts / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / classification
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / immunology*
  • Golgi Apparatus / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / enzymology
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology*
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology
  • Macrophages / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondria / chemistry
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mycobacterium bovis / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Phagosomes / immunology*
  • Phagosomes / microbiology
  • Protein Isoforms / analysis
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / immunology

Substances

  • Ifi1 protein, mouse
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Interferon-gamma
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • GTP-Binding Proteins