Targeting the viral Achilles' heel: recognition of 5'-triphosphate RNA in innate anti-viral defence.

Journal article

Some RNA virus genomes bear 5'-triphosphates, which can be recognized in the cytoplasm of infected cells by host proteins that mediate anti-viral immunity. Both the innate sensor RIG-I and the interferon-induced IFIT proteins bind to 5'-triphosphate viral RNAs. RIG-I signals for induction of interferons during RNA virus infection while IFITs sequester viral RNAs to exert an anti-viral effect. Notably, the structures of these proteins reveal both similarities and differences, which are suggestive of independent evolution towards ligand binding. 5'-triphosphates, which are absent from most RNAs in the cytosol of uninfected cells, are thus a marker of virus infection that is targeted by the innate immune system for both induction and execution of the anti-viral response.

Authors: Rehwinkel, J; Reis e Sousa, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Current opinion in microbiology
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 485-492
• Publication date: 2013-08-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2013.04.009
• EISSN: 1879-0364
• ISSN: 1369-5274
• Language: English
• Keywords: Humans; RNA, Viral; DEAD-box RNA Helicases; RNA Viruses; Carrier Proteins; Animals; Immunity, Innate; RNA-Binding Proteins