The Pseudokinase NIPI-4 Is a Novel Regulator of Antimicrobial Peptide Gene Expression

摘要: Hosts have developed diverse mechanisms to counter the pathogens they face in their natural environment. Throughout plant and animal kingdoms, up-regulation of antimicrobial peptides is a common response infection. In C. elegans, infection with pathogen Drechmeria coniospora leads rapid induction peptide gene expression epidermis. Through large genetic screen we isolated many new mutants that are incapable upregulating nlp-29 (i.e. Nipi or ‘no after infection’ phenotype). More than half newly do not correspond genes previously associated regulation peptides. One these, nipi-4, encodes member nematode-specific kinase family. NIPI-4 predicted be catalytically inactive, thus pseudokinase. It acts epidermis downstream PKC∂ TPA-1, as positive regulator nlp also controls constitutive cnc family targets TGFs regulation. Our results open way for more detailed understanding how host defense pathways can molded by environmental pathogens.