The endoribonuclease Regnase-1: key molecule in inflammatory and immune responses

Immune responses are accompanied by dynamic changes in gene expression. Many transcription factors including NF-κB and AP-1 are involved in induction of genes involved in inflammatory and immune responses. However, recent studies have revealed that control of gene expression at the mRNA level is as important as transcriptional control in the immune response. We have shown that Regnase-1 encoded by the Zc3h12a gene is an endoribonuclease involved in destabilization of a variety of mRNAs including IL-6,IL-12, and Regnase-1 itself mRNAs via the stem loop structure present in the 3'UTR of these genes