FOXO3a is stabilized by USP18-mediated de-ISGylation and inhibits TGF-β1-induced fibronectin expression

FOXO3a belongs to a family of transcription factors characterized by a conserved forkhead box DNA-binding domain. It has been known to regulate various cellular processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Post-translational modifications of FOXO3a and their roles in the regulation of FOXO3a activity have been well-documented. FOXO3a can be phosphorylated, acetylated and ubiquitinated, however, the ISGylation of FOXO3a has not been reported. Protein overexpression, ISGylation and half-life were measured to determine the post-translational modification of FOXO3a. Human fibroblast cells were treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 to determine the role of FOXO3a ISGylation in TGF-β1 signaling. FOXO3a’s half-life is around 3.7 hours. Inhibition of the proteasome, not lysosome, extends its half-life. ISGylation, but not ubiquitination of FOXO3a, is increased in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor. Overexpression of ISG15 increases FOXO3a degradation, while overexpression of USP18 stabilizes FOXO3a through de-ISGylation. These results suggest that FOXO3a is degraded in the ISGylation and proteasome system, which can be reversed by USP18, an ISG15-specific deubiquitinase. This study reveals a new molecular mechanism by which ISGylation regulates FOXO3a degradation. Furthermore, we show that the overexpression of FOXO3a attenuated TGF-β1-induced fibronectin expression in human lung fibroblast cells without altering Smad2/3 expression and activation. FOXO3a can be ISGylated, which can regulate FOXO3a stability. USP18/FOXO3a pathway is a potential target for treating TGF-β1-mediated fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.