Emerging roles of rhomboid-like pseudoproteases in inflammatory and innate immune responses

Abstract

Rhomboid-like pseudoproteases are a conserved superfamily of proteins related to the rhomboid intramembrane serine proteases that lack key catalytic residues. iRhom2, a member of the rhomboid-like pseudoprotease superfamily, regulates the maturation and trafficking of ADAM17 and is associated with inflammatory arthritis. Recent studies demonstrate that iRhom2 is also involved in innate immunity by regulating the trafficking and stability of MITA (also called STING), which is a central adaptor in innate antiviral signalling pathways. Here, we summarize recent progress on the roles and mechanisms of iRhom2 and its homologues in innate immunity and also discuss the links between the physiological functions of iRhoms and immunological diseases.