C1q/TNF-related protein 9: A novel therapeutic target in ischemic stroke?

Ischemic stroke has become a serious public health problem, which is in need of advanced research on the prevention and treatment. As a newly discovered adipokine, C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis disease (CAD), including regulating energy metabolism, modulating vasomotion, protecting endothelial cells, inhibiting platelet activation, inhibiting pathological vascular remodeling, stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques, and protecting heart. The present review raised a critical question of whether CTRP9 could also have the capacity of protecting the brain tissue and decreasing the severity of brain lesions in the ischemic stroke since CAD and ischemic stroke are both the major subtypes of atherosclerotic vascular diseases which share a large of common pathogenesis in the vascular lesion particularly. Therefore, we proposed that CTRP9 could be a feasible biomarker and potential therapeutic target in ischemic stroke on the basis of the reviewed research reports.

SCFSNIPER4 controls the turnover of two redundant TRAF proteins in plant immunity.

In mammals, tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factors (TRAFs) are signaling adaptors that regulate diverse physiological processes, including immunity and stress responses. In Arabidopsis, MUSE13 and MUSE14 are redundant TRAF proteins serving as adaptors in the SCFCRP1 complex to facilitate the turnover of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats (NLR) immune receptors. Degradation of MUSE13 is inhibited by proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that the MUSE13 stability is controlled by the 26S proteasome. However, the E3 ligase that regulates MUSE13 level is unknown. Here we report the identification of an F-box protein, SNIPER4 that regulates the turnover of MUSE13 and MUSE14. Protein levels of MUSE13 and MUSE14 are reduced by SNIPER4 overexpression, while higher accumulation of MUSE13 and MUSE14 is observed when dominant-negative SNIPER4 is expressed. Furthermore, SNIPER4 associates with MUSE13 or MUSE14. Taken together, the SCFSNIPER4 complex controls the turnover of TRAF proteins for an optimum immune output.

Aldosterone-induced cardiomyocyte growth, and fibroblast migration and proliferation are mediated by TRAF3IP2.

Sustained activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) contributes to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Aldosterone (Aldo) is known to induce both myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis through oxidative stress and proinflammatory pathways. Here we have investigated whether Aldo-mediated cardiomycocyte hypertrophy is dependent on TRAF3IP2, an upstream regulator of IKK and JNK. We also investigated whether the pro-mitogenic and pro-migratory effects of Aldo on cardiac fibroblasts are also mediated by TRAF3IP2. Aldo induced both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes (CM), and upregulated TRAF3IP2 expression in part via the mineralocorticoid receptor and oxidative stress. Silencing TRAF3IP2 blunted Aldo-induced IKKß, p65, JNK, and c-Jun activation, IL-18, IL-6 and CT-1 upregulation, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In isolated adult mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CF), Aldo stimulated TRAF3IP2-dependent IL-18 and IL-6 production, CTGF, collagen I and III expression, MMP2 activation, and proliferation and migration. These in vitro results suggest that TRAF3IP2 may play a causal role in Aldo-induced adverse cardiac remodeling in vivo, and identify TRAF3IP2 as a potential therapeutic target in hypertensive heart disease.

Dimerization of TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP) regulates the mitotic progression.

The homo- or hetero-dimerization of proteins plays critical roles in the mitotic progression. The TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP) is crucial in early mitotic progression and chromosome alignment defects in the metaphase. The TRAIP is a 469 amino acid protein, including the Really Interesting New Gene (RING), coiled-coil (CC), and leucine zipper (LZ) domain. In general, the CC or LZ domain containing proteins forms homo- or hetero-dimerization to achieve its activity. In this study, a number of TRAIP mutants were used to define the TRAIP molecular domains responsible for its homo-dimerization. A co-immunoprecipitation assay indicated that the TRAIP forms homo-dimerization through the CC domain. The cells, expressing the CC domain-deleted mutant that could not form a homo-dimer, increased the mitotic index and promoted mitotic progression.

Syk mediates IL-17-induced CCL20 expression by targeting Act1-dependent K63-linked ubiquitination of TRAF6.

IL-17 has an important role in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) has been implicated as a critical molecule in the signaling pathways of various immunoreceptors. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) interacts with chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 6 to recruit IL-17-producing cells into the skin to promote progression of psoriasis. Herein we investigate how Syk regulates IL-17 signaling to affect CCL20 expression in primary human epidermal keratinocytes. We found that IL-17 can induce CCL20 expression and activate TAK, IKK, NF-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and Syk. Data of TAK inhibitor and Syk small interfering RNA (siRNA) indicate Syk being an upstream molecule of TAK in IL-17-elicited signaling. The promoter activity assay combined with site-directed mutagenesis showed that IL-17-elicited CCL20 upregulation is depending on the Syk-mediated NF-κB pathway. Immunoprecipitation also indicated the interaction of Syk with signal molecules of IL-17R, such as TRAF6 and Act1, under IL-17A stimulation. However, the essential signaling events including TRAF6 interaction with Act1 and TRAF6 polyubiquitination under IL-17A stimulation were diminished by Syk siRNA and pharmacologically inhibiting Syk. Taken together, we identify Syk as an upstream signaling molecule in IL-17A-induced Act1-TRAF6 interaction in keratinocytes, and inhibition of Syk can attenuate CCL20 production, which highlights Syk as a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis.

[TRAF4, a multifaceted protein involved in carcinoma progression]. / TRAF4, une protéine à facettes multiples impliquée dans la progression des carcinomes⋆.

Eukaryotic epithelial cells form a sheet of contiguous cells, called epithelium, by means of the establishment of well-developed junctional complexes. These junctional complexes ensure the cell cohesion in the tissue and separate the plasma membrane into an apical and a basolateral compartment. This apicobasal polarity, which is crucial for both the architecture and the function of epithelia, is mainly maintained by tight junctions (TJS). Indeed, TJS weakening or loss disrupts the integrity of the epithelium, a process participating to the formation and progression of carcinomas. It has recently been shown that TRAF4, a protein dynamically localized in TJS and commonly overexpressed in carcinomas, plays a variety of functions in tumor progression. Here, we review recent data implicating TRAF4 in carcinogenesis. First, the conserved TRAF proteins family will be presented, and then the molecular mechanism addressing TRAF4 to TJS which involves lipid binding by the TRAF domain will be described. The various roles of TRAF4 in carcinogenesis will be discussed. Finally, we will highlight the ability of all TRAF proteins to bind lipids and discuss its potential functional relevance.

MAVS recruits multiple ubiquitin E3 ligases to activate antiviral signaling cascades.

RNA virus infections are detected by the RIG-I family of receptors, which induce type-I interferons through the mitochondrial protein MAVS. MAVS forms large prion-like polymers that activate the cytosolic kinases IKK and TBK1, which in turn activate NF-κB and IRF3, respectively, to induce interferons. Here we show that MAVS polymers recruit several TRAF proteins, including TRAF2, TRAF5, and TRAF6, through distinct TRAF-binding motifs. Mutations of these motifs that disrupted MAVS binding to TRAFs abrogated its ability to activate IRF3. IRF3 activation was also abolished in cells lacking TRAF2, 5, and 6. These TRAF proteins promoted ubiquitination reactions that recruited NEMO to the MAVS signaling complex, leading to the activation of IKK and TBK1. These results delineate the mechanism of MAVS signaling and reveal that TRAF2, 5, and 6, which are normally associated with NF-κB activation, also play a crucial role in IRF3 activation in antiviral immune responses. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00785.001.

New insight into the functions of the interleukin-17 receptor adaptor protein Act1 in psoriatic arthritis.

Recent genome-wide association studies have implicated the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3-interacting protein 2 (TRAF3IP2) gene and its product, nuclear factor-kappa-B activator 1 (Act1), in the development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The high level of sequence homology of the TRAF3IP2 (Act1) gene across the animal kingdom and the presence of the Act1 protein in multiple cell types strongly suggest that the protein is of importance in normal cellular function. Act1 is an adaptor protein for the interleukin-17 (IL-17) receptor, and recent observations have highlighted the significance of IL-17 signaling and localized inflammation in autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes data from recent genome-wide association studies as well as immunological and molecular investigations of Act1. Together, these studies provide new insight into the role of IL-17 signaling in PsA. It is well established that IL-17 activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) signaling pathways normally leads to nuclear factor-kappa-B-mediated inflammation. However, the dominant PsA-associated TRAF3IP2 (Act1) gene single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs33980500) results in decreased binding of Act1 to TRAF6. This key mutation in Act1 could lead to a greater association of the IL-17 receptor with TRAF2/TRAF5 and this in turn suggests an alternative function for IL-17 in PsA. The recent observations described and discussed in this review raise the clinically significant possibility of redefining the immunological role of IL-17 in PsA and provide a basis for defining future studies to elucidate the molecular and cellular functions of Act1.

TDP2 promotes repair of topoisomerase I-mediated DNA damage in the absence of TDP1.

The abortive activity of topoisomerases can result in clastogenic and/or lethal DNA damage in which the topoisomerase is covalently linked to the 3'- or 5'-terminus of a DNA strand break. This type of DNA damage is implicated in chromosome translocations and neurological disease and underlies the clinical efficacy of an important class of anticancer topoisomerase 'poisons'. Tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase-1 protects cells from abortive topoisomerase I (Top1) activity by hydrolyzing the 3'-phosphotyrosyl bond that links Top1 to a DNA strand break and is currently the only known human enzyme that displays this activity in cells. Recently, we identified a second tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase (TDP2; aka TTRAP/EAPII) that possesses weak 3'-tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase (3'-TDP) activity, in vitro. Herein, we have examined whether TDP2 contributes to the repair of Top1-mediated DNA breaks by deleting Tdp1 and Tdp2 separately and together in murine and avian cells. We show that while deletion of Tdp1 in wild-type DT40 cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts decreases DNA strand break repair rates and cellular survival in response to Top1-induced DNA damage, deletion of Tdp2 does not. However, deletion of both Tdp1 and Tdp2 reduces rates of DNA strand break repair and cell survival below that observed in Tdp1-/- cells, suggesting that Tdp2 contributes to cellular 3'-TDP activity in the absence of Tdp1. Consistent with this idea, over-expression of human TDP2 in Tdp1-/-/Tdp2-/-/- DT40 cells increases DNA strand break repair rates and cell survival above that observed in Tdp1-/- DT40 cells, suggesting that Tdp2 over-expression can partially complement the defect imposed by loss of Tdp1. Finally, mice lacking both Tdp1 and Tdp2 exhibit greater sensitivity to Top1 poisons than do mice lacking Tdp1 alone, further suggesting that Tdp2 contributes to the repair of Top1-mediated DNA damage in the absence of Tdp1. In contrast, we failed to detect a contribution for Tdp1 to repair Top2-mediated damage. Together, our data suggest that Tdp1 and Tdp2 fulfil overlapping roles following Top1-induced DNA damage, but not following Top2-induced DNA damage, in vivo.

The role of the TRAF-interacting protein in proliferation and differentiation.

Ubiquitination of proteins is a post-translational modification, which decides on the cellular fate of the protein. Addition of ubiquitin moieties to proteins is carried out by the sequential action of three enzymes: E1, ubiquitin-activating enzyme; E2, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme; and E3, ubiquitin ligase. The TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP, TRIP, RNF206) functions as Really Interesting New Gene (RING)-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, but its physiological substrates are not yet known. TRAIP was reported to interact with TRAF [tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors] and the two tumor suppressors CYLD and Syk (spleen tyrosine kinase). Ectopically expressed TRAIP was shown to inhibit nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling. However, recent results suggested a role for TRAIP in biological processes other than NF-κB regulation. Knock-down of TRAIP in human epidermal keratinocytes repressed cellular proliferation and induced a block in the G1/S phase of the cell cycle without affecting NF-κB signalling. TRAIP is necessary for embryonal development as mutations affecting the Drosophila homologue of TRAIP are maternal effect-lethal mutants, and TRAIP knock-out mice die in utero because of aberrant regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. These findings underline the tight link between TRAIP and cell proliferation. In this review, we summarize the data on TRAIP and put them into a larger perspective regarding the role of TRAIP in the control of tissue homeostasis.

Sexual differentiation of the gonadotropin surge release mechanism: a new role for the canonical NfκB signaling pathway.

Sex differences in luteinizing hormone (LH) release patterns are controlled by the hypothalamus, established during the perinatal period and required for fertility. Female mammals exhibit a cyclic surge pattern of LH release, while males show a tonic release pattern. In rodents, the LH surge pattern is dictated by the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV), an estrogen receptor-rich structure that is larger and more cell-dense in females. Sex differences result from mitochondrial cell death triggered in perinatal males by estradiol derived from aromatization of testosterone. Herein we provide an historical perspective and an update describing evidence that molecules important for cell survival and cell death in the immune system also control these processes in the developing AVPV. We conclude with a new model proposing that development of the female AVPV requires constitutive activation of the Tnfα, Tnf receptor 2, NfκB and Bcl2 pathway that is blocked by induction of Tnf receptor-associated factor 2-inhibiting protein (Traip) in the male.

The seventh ring: exploring TRAF7 functions.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) have been discovered and characterized by their capacity to link tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR) family proteins to signaling pathways that transduce the cellular effects mediated by TNF family ligands. There are seven known mammalian TRAF proteins (TRAF1-7), that share a domain organization made of a modular structure, characteristic of adaptor proteins whose function is to link structurally dissimilar factors. Functionally, TRAF proteins mediate the assembly of cytoplasmic signal transducers and regulatory molecules downstream of receptors complexes. Despite the similarities in the signaling pathways activated by the different TRAF proteins, each appears to play distinct physiological roles. TRAF7 is the last member of the TRAF family that has been identified. Yet, the functional characterization of TRAF7 presents some aspects still obscure and poorly defined, making this protein arguably the most mysterious member of the family. In fact, recent data indicate that TRAF7 is involved in signal transduction pathways that lead either to activation or repression of NF-κB transcription factor. In addition, TRAF7 regulates activation of cellular stress pathways, as well as unconventional ubiquitination events and differentiation of muscle tissue. In this review, we try to summarize the most recent advances in our understanding of TRAF7 function and the biological processes of this protein is involved in.

Mutations in Traf3ip1 reveal defects in ciliogenesis, embryonic development, and altered cell size regulation.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 3 interacting protein 1 (Traf3ip1), also known as MIPT3, was initially characterized through its interactions with tubulin, actin, TNFR-associated factor-3 (Traf3), IL-13R1, and DISC1. It functions as an inhibitor of IL-13-mediated phosphorylation of Stat6 and in sequestration of Traf3 and DISC1 to the cytoskeleton. Studies of the Traf3ip1 homologs in C. elegans (DYF-11), Zebrafish (elipsa), and Chlamydomonas (IFT54) revealed that the protein localizes to the cilium and is required for ciliogenesis. Similar localization data has now been reported for mammalian Traf3ip1. This raises the possibility that Traf3ip1 has an evolutionarily conserved role in mammalian ciliogenesis in addition to its previously indicated functions. To evaluate this possibility, a Traf3ip1 mutant mouse line was generated. Traf3ip1 mutant cells are unable to form cilia. Homozygous Traf3ip1 mutant mice are not viable and have both neural developmental defects and polydactyly, phenotypes typical of mouse mutants with ciliary assembly defects. Furthermore, in Traf3ip1 mutants the hedgehog pathway is disrupted, as evidenced by abnormal dorsal-ventral neural tube patterning and diminished expression of a hedgehog reporter. Analysis of the canonical Wnt pathway indicates that it was largely unaffected; however, specific domains in the pharyngeal arches have elevated levels of reporter activity. Interestingly, Traf3ip1 mutant embryos and cells failed to show alterations in IL-13 signaling, one of the pathways associated with its initial discovery. Novel phenotypes observed in Traf3ip1 mutant cells include elevated cytosolic levels of acetylated microtubules and a marked increase in cell size in culture. The enlarged Traf3ip1 mutant cell size was associated with elevated basal mTor pathway activity. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Traf3ip1 function is highly conserved in ciliogenesis and is important for proper regulation of a number of essential developmental and cellular pathways. The Traf3ip1 mutant mouse and cell lines will provide valuable resources to assess cilia function in mammalian development and also serve as a tool to explore the potential connections between cilia and cytoskeletal dynamics, mTor regulation, and cell volume control.

The TRAF-interacting protein (TRIP) is a regulator of keratinocyte proliferation.

The TRAF-interacting protein (TRIP/TRAIP) is a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated NF-κB activation. TRIP ablation results in early embryonic lethality in mice. To investigate TRIP function in epidermis, we examined its expression and the effect of TRIP knockdown (KD) in keratinocytes. TRIP mRNA expression was strongly downregulated in primary human keratinocytes undergoing differentiation triggered by high cell density or high calcium. Short-term phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) treatment or inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase signaling in proliferative keratinocytes suppressed TRIP transcription. Inhibition by TPA was protein kinase C dependent. Keratinocytes undergoing KD of TRIP expression by lentiviral short-hairpin RNA (shRNA; T4 and T5) had strongly reduced proliferation rates compared with control shRNA. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that TRIP-KD caused growth arrest in the G1/S phase. Keratinocytes with TRIP-KD resembled differentiated cells consistent with the augmented expression of differentiation markers keratin 1 and filaggrin. Luciferase-based reporter assays showed no increase in NF-κB activity in TRIP-KD keratinocytes, indicating that NF-κB activity in keratinocytes is not regulated by TRIP. TRIP expression was increased by ∼2-fold in basal cell carcinomas compared with normal skin. These results underline the important role of TRIP in the regulation of cell cycle progression and the tight linkage of its expression to keratinocyte proliferation.

TRAF-mediated TNFR-family signaling.

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily consists of a wide variety of cell-bound and secreted proteins that regulate numerous cellular processes. In particular, TNF-family proteins regulate the proliferation and death of tumor cells, as well as activated immune cells. This overview discusses the mammalian TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs), of which TRAF1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 have been shown to interact directly or indirectly with members of the TNF receptor superfamily. Structural features of TRAF proteins are described along with a discussion of TRAF-interacting proteins and the signaling pathways activated by the TRAF proteins. Finally, we examine the phenotypes observed in TRAF-knockout mice.

Genomic and functional uniqueness of the TNF receptor-associated factor gene family in amphioxus, the basal chordate.

The TNF-associated factor (TRAF) family, the crucial adaptor group in innate immune signaling, increased to 24 in amphioxus, the oldest lineage of the Chordata. To address how these expanded molecules evolved to adapt to the changing TRAF mediated signaling pathways, here we conducted genomic and functional comparisons of four distinct amphioxus TRAF groups with their human counterparts. We showed that lineage-specific duplication and rearrangement were responsible for the expansion of amphioxus TRAF1/2 and 3 lineages, whereas TRAF4 and 6 maintained a relatively stable genome and protein structure. Amphioxus TRAF1/2 and 3 molecules displayed various expression patterns in response to microbial infection, and some of them can attenuate the NF-kappaB activation mediated by human TRAF2 and 6. Amphioxus TRAF4 presented two unique functions: activation of the NF-kappaB pathway and involvement in somite formation. Although amphioxus TRAF6 was conserved in activating NF-kappaB pathway for antibacterial defense, the mechanism was not the same as that observed in humans. In summary, our findings reveal the evolutionary uniqueness of the TRAF family in this basal chordate, and suggest that genomic duplication and functional divergence of the TRAF family are important for the current form of the TRAF-mediated signaling pathways in humans.

Looking beyond death: a morphogenetic role for the TNF signalling pathway.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a pro-inflammatory mediator with the capacity to induce apoptosis. An integral part of its apoptotic and inflammatory programmes is the control of cell shape through modulation of the cytoskeleton, but it is now becoming apparent that this morphogenetic function of TNF signalling is also employed outside inflammatory responses and is shared by the signalling pathways of other members of the TNF-receptor superfamily. Some proteins that are homologous to the components of the TNF signalling pathway, such as the adaptor TNF-receptor-associated factor 4 and the ectodysplasin A receptor (and its ligand and adaptors), have dedicated morphogenetic roles. The mechanism by which TNF signalling affects cell shape is not yet fully understood, but Rho-family GTPases have a central role. The fact that the components of the TNF signalling pathway are evolutionarily old suggests that an ancestral cassette from unicellular organisms has diversified its functions into partly overlapping morphogenetic, inflammatory and apoptotic roles in multicellular higher organisms.

The protein-tyrosine kinase Syk interacts with TRAF-interacting protein TRIP in breast epithelial cells.

The nonreceptor, protein-tyrosine kinase Syk is a suppressor of breast cancer progression whose expression is inversely correlated with the invasive behavior of cancer cells. In contrast, Syk has a positive function in murine mammary tumor virus-mediated tumorigenesis. A yeast two-hybrid screen using a library from human mammary gland identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor-interacting protein (TRIP) as an Syk-binding partner. This interaction is mediated by the C-terminal region of TRIP and is enhanced by the treatment of cells with TNF and the tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk. Syk and TRIP have opposing functions in TNF-signaling pathways. Syk enhances the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB by TNF and this is antagonized by TRIP. The overexpression of TRIP sensitizes cells to TNF-induced apoptosis, an effect that can be reversed by the coexpression of Syk.

IL-17A enhances vitamin D3-induced expression of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide in human keratinocytes.

Cathelicidin is strongly expressed in lesional skin in psoriasis and may play an important role as both an antimicrobial peptide and as an autoinflammatory mediator in this chronic skin disease. The mechanism of increased cathelicidin in psoriatic keratinocytes is not known, but recent observations have found that psoriasis has abundant Th17 cells that produce IL-17A and IL-22. We found that human keratinocytes stimulated with supernatants from T cells isolated from lesional psoriatic skin increased expression of cathelicidin when stimulated in the presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25D(3)). This increase was signaled through the IL-17RA. In vitro, IL-17A, but not IL-22, enhanced cathelicidin mRNA and peptide expression in keratinocytes dependent on the presence of 1,25D(3). At the same time, coincubation with 1,25D(3) blocked induction of human beta-defensin 2 (HBD2), IL-6, and IL-8, which are other target genes of IL-17A. Act1, an adaptor associated with IL-17RA and essential for IL-17A signaling, mediated cathelicidin induction, as its suppression by small interfering RNA inhibited HBD2 and cathelicidin. Both, 1,25D(3) and IL-17A signaled cathelicidin induction through MEK-ERK. These results suggest that increased IL-17A in psoriatic skin increases cathelicidin through a vitamin D(3)-, Act1-, and MEK-ERK-dependent mechanism. Therapy targeting this cathelicidin-regulating system might be beneficial in patients suffering from psoriasis.

Roles of ubiquitination in pattern-recognition receptors and type I interferon receptor signaling.

Post-translational protein modifications are involved in all functions of living cells. This includes the ability of cells to recognize pathogens and regulate genes involved in their clearance, a concept known as innate immunity. While phosphorylation mechanisms play essential roles in regulating different aspects of the innate immune response, ubiquitination is now recognized as another post-translational modification that works in parallel with phosphorylation to orchestrate the final proper innate immune response against invading pathogens. More precisely, this review will discuss the most recent advances that address the role of ubiquitination in pattern-recognition receptors and type I interferon receptor signaling.