1. Regulation of IFNα-induced expression of the short ACE2 isoform by ULK1.
- Author
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Perez RE, Saleiro D, Ilut L, Schiltz GE, Eckerdt F, Fish EN, and Platanias LC
- Subjects
- Animals, Interferon-alpha, Mammals, Protein Isoforms genetics, Protein Isoforms metabolism, SARS-CoV-2, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, COVID-19
- Abstract
The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been shown to hijack angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for entry into mammalian cells. A short isoform of ACE2, termed deltaACE2 (dACE2), has recently been identified. In contrast to ACE2, the short dACE2 isoform lacks the ability to bind the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Several studies have proposed that expression of ACE2 and/or dACE2 is induced by interferons (IFNs). Here, we report that drug-targeted inhibition or silencing of Unc51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) results in repression of type I IFN-induced expression of the dACE2 isoform. Notably, dACE2 is expressed in various squamous tumors. In efforts to identify pharmacological agents that target this pathway, we found that fisetin, a natural flavonoid, is an ULK1 inhibitor that decreases type I IFN-induced dACE2 expression. Taken together, our results establish a requirement for ULK1 in the regulation of type I IFN-induced transcription of dACE2 and raise the possibility of clinical translational applications of fisetin as a novel ULK1 inhibitor., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)
- Published
- 2022
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