Enteroviral 3C protease activates the human NLRP1 inflammasome in airway epithelia

Kim S. Robinson, Daniel Eng Thiam Teo, Kai Sen Tan, Gee Ann Toh, Hsiao Hui Ong, Chrissie Kaishi Lim, Kenneth Lay, Bijin Veonice Au, Tian Sheng Lew, Justin Jang Hann Chu, Vincent Tak Kwong Chow, De Yun Wang, Franklin L. Zhong, Bruno Reversade

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

152 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immune sensor proteins are critical to the function of the human innate immune system. The full repertoire of cognate triggers for human immune sensors is not fully understood. Here, we report that human NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 1 (NLRP1) is activated by 3C proteases (3Cpros) of enteroviruses, such as human rhinovirus (HRV). 3Cpros directly cleave human NLRP1 at a single site between Glu130 and Gly131. This cleavage triggers N-glycine-mediated degradation of the autoinhibitory NLRP1 N-terminal fragment via the cullinZER1/ZYG11B complex, which liberates the activating C-terminal fragment. Infection of primary human airway epithelial cells by live human HRV triggers NLRP1-dependent inflammasome activation and interleukin-18 secretion. Our findings establish 3Cpros as a pathogen-derived trigger for the human NLRP1 inflammasome and suggest that NLRP1 may contribute to inflammatory diseases of the airway.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalScience
Volume370
Issue number6521
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 4 2020
Externally publishedYes

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Generated from Scopus record by KAUST IRTS on 2023-02-15

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