Masahiro Yamamoto's group (Immunoparasitology) and others have revealed a unique role of GABARAPs, in particular Gate-16, in interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-mediated antimicrobial response. The group showed that Gate-16 specifically associates with Arf1 to mediate uniform distribution of IFN-inducible GTPases, and that lack of Gate-16 reduces Arf1 activation, leading to formation of IFN-inducible GTPase-containing aggregates, hampering their function. Furthermore, mice lacking Gate-16 alone are susceptible to Toxoplasma. Thus, GABARAPs are uniquely required for antimicrobial host defense through cytosolic distribution of IFN-inducible GTPases.
These results will help Gate-16 targeted strategy for the treatment of toxoplasmosis and alimentary intoxication caused by Toxoplasma and Salmonella.

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Contact:

Masahiro Yamamoto（Immunoparasitology ）

+81-6-6879-8333
myamamotobiken.osaka-u.ac.jp

Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University (WPI-IFReC)