Mitochondrial aconitase inhibits immunity via reducing mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Mitochondrial aconitase inhibits immunity via reducing mitochondrial unfolded protein response

We show that mitochondrial aconitase, ACO-2, a Krebs cycle enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of citrate to isocitrate, inhibits immunity against pathogenic bacteria in C. elegans. We found that genetic inhibition of aco-2 enhanced mitochondrial unfolded protein response, subsequently upregulating ATFS-1 transcription factor, which contributed to enhanced immunity against pathogenic bacteria. Overall design: The investigation of the changes of gene expression upon knockdown of aco-2 or infection with PA14.