REUL is a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase and stimulator of retinoic-acid-inducible gene-I

PLoS One. 2009 Jun 1;4(6):e5760. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005760.

Abstract

RIG-I and MDA5 are cytoplasmic sensors that recognize different species of viral RNAs, leads to activation of the transcription factors IRF3 and NF-kappaB, which collaborate to induce type I interferons. In this study, we identified REUL, a RING-finger protein, as a specific RIG-I-interacting protein. REUL was associated with RIG-I, but not MDA5, through its PRY and SPRY domains. Overexpression of REUL potently potentiated RIG-I-, but not MDA5-mediated downstream signalling and antiviral activity. In contrast, the RING domain deletion mutant of REUL suppressed Sendai virus (SV)-induced, but not cytoplasmic polyI:C-induced activation of IFN-beta promoter. Knockdown of endogenous REUL by RNAi inhibited SV-triggered IFN-beta expression, and also increased VSV replication. Full-length RIG-I, but not the CARD domain deletion mutant of RIG-I, underwent ubiquitination induced by REUL. The Lys 154, 164, and 172 residues of the RIG-I CARD domain were critical for efficient REUL-mediated ubiquitination, as well as the ability of RIG-I to induce activation of IFN-beta promoter. These findings suggest that REUL is an E3 ubiquitin ligase of RIG-I and specifically stimulates RIG-I-mediated innate antiviral activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-beta / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA Interference
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Sendai virus / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Signal Transduction
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / biosynthesis
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / physiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Interferon-beta
  • RNF135 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • RIGI protein, human
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases