Activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 in response to DNA-damaging agents

Genotoxic stress triggers signal transduction pathways that mediate either the protection or apoptosis of affected cells. The interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are involved in a wide range of host defense mechanisms against environmental stresses. Treatment with DNA-damaging agents, including doxorubicin and UV radiation, caused phosphorylation of the IRF3 transcription factor. Phosphorylation of IRF3 induced its interaction with the transcriptional co-activator cAMP-response element binding protein-binding protein. Furthermore, genotoxic stress-induced phosphorylation of IRF3 resulted in its movement from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where it activated transcription from its binding site. These observations suggest that IRF3 plays a role in the defensive responses induced by genotoxic stress.