The arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 promotes mucosal defense in the intestine

Abstract

PRMT5 is a type II arginine methyltransferase abundantly expressed in the colonic epithelium. It is up-regulated in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. However, its role in mucosal defense against enteric infection has not been studied. Here, we report thatPrmt5in the murine colon is up-regulated in response toCitrobacter rodentiuminfection. Pathogen clearance in mice with haploinsufficient expression ofPrmt5is significantly delayed compared with wildtype littermate controls. Transcriptomic analyses further reveal that PRMT5 regulates the expression of canonical crypt goblet cell genes involved in mucus production, assembly, and anti-microbial responses via methyltransferase activity–dependent and –independent mechanisms. Together, these findings uncover PRMT5 as a novel regulator of mucosal defense and a potential therapeutic target for treating intestinal diseases.