SRSF1 as a novel interacting partner for IFITM1/3 unravels the emergent role of IFITM1/3 mediating protein expression

IFITM proteins play a role in cancer cell progression through undefined mechanisms. Here, we propose an emergent role of IFITM1/3 regulating protein synthesis. SBP-tagged IFITM1 protein was used to identify an association of IFITM1 protein with the cytosolic isoform of SRSF1 that transports mRNA to the ribosome. This cytosolic association was confirmed in situ using proximity ligation assays for SRSF1 and IFITM1/3, suggesting a role associated with translation. Accordingly, IFITM1/3 were shown to interact with HLA-B mRNA in response to IFNγ stimulation using RNA-protein proximity ligation assays. In addition, shotgun RNA sequencing in IFITM1/IFITM3 null cells and wt-SiHa cells indicated that reduced HLA-B gene expression does not account for lowered HLA-B protein synthesis in response to IFNγ. Furthermore, ribosome profiling using sucrose gradient sedimentation identified a reduction in 80S ribosomal fraction an IFITM1/IFITM3 null cells compared to their wild-type counterpart, partially reverted by IFITM1/3 complementation. Our data all together link the binding of IFITM1/3 proteins to HLA-B mRNA and SRSF1 as a mechanism to catalyze the synthesis of target proteins, suggesting an RNA chaperonin role for IFITM1/3 proteins. Significance IFITMs are widely studied for their role in inhibiting viruses, and multiple studies have associated IFITMs with cancer progression. However, mechanistic insights are not well understood. Our study proposes that IFITMs have a role regulating protein synthesis, a pivotal function highly relevant for viral infection and cancer progression. Our results suggest that IFITM1/3 is present in the ribosomal fraction and regulates particular protein expression; among them, we identified HLA-B. Changes in HLA-B expression could impact the presentation and recognition of oncogenic antigens on the cell surface by cytotoxic T cells and, ultimately, limit tumor cell eradication. In addition, the role of IFITMs mediating protein translation is relevant, as has the potential of regulating the expression of viral and oncogenic proteins. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.