Activation of Duck RIG-I by TRIM25 Is Independent of Anchored Ubiquitin

Retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I) is a viral RNA sensor crucial in defense against several viruses including measles, influenza A and hepatitis C. RIG-I activates type-I interferon signalling through the adaptor for mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS). The E3 ubiquitin ligase, tripartite motif containing protein 25 (TRIM25), activates human RIG-I through generation of anchored K63-linked polyubiquitin chains attached to lysine 172, or alternatively, through the generation of unanchored K63-linked polyubiquitin chains that interact non-covalently with RIG-I CARD domains. Previously, we identified RIG-I of ducks, of interest because ducks are the host and natural reservoir of influenza viruses, and showed it initiates innate immune signaling leading to production of interferon-beta (IFN-β). We noted that K172 is not conserved in RIG-I of ducks and other avian species, or mouse. Because K172 is important for both mechanisms of activation of human RIG-I, we investigated whether duck RIG-I was activated by TRIM25, and if other residues were the sites for attachment of ubiquitin. Here we show duck RIG-I CARD domains are ubiquitinated for activation, and ubiquitination depends on interaction with TRIM25, as a splice variant that cannot interact with TRIM25 is not ubiquitinated, and cannot be activated. We expressed GST-fusion proteins of duck CARD domains and characterized TRIM25 modifications of CARD domains by mass spectrometry. We identified two sites that are ubiquitinated in duck CARD domains, K167 and K193, and detected K63 linked polyubiquitin chains. Site directed mutagenesis of each site alone, does not alter the ubiquitination profile of the duck CARD domains. However, mutation of both sites resulted in loss of all attached ubiquitin and polyubiquitin chains. Remarkably, the double mutant duck RIG-I CARD still interacts with TRIM25, and can still be activated. Our results demonstrate that anchored ubiquitin chains are not necessary for TRIM25 activation of duck RIG-I.     

Dual targeting of RIG-I and MAVS by MARCH5 mitochondria ubiquitin ligase in innate immunity

The mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein on the mitochondrial outer membrane acts as a central signaling molecule in the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway by linking upstream viral RNA recognition to downstream signal activation. We previously reported that mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin ligase, MARCH5, degrades the MAVS protein aggregate and prevents persistent downstream signaling. Since the activated RIG-I oligomer interacts and nucleates the MAVS aggregate, MARCH5 might also target this oligomer. Here, we report that MARCH5 targets and degrades RIG-I, but not its inactive phosphomimetic form (RIG-I^S8E). The MARCH5-mediated reduction of RIG-I is restored in the presence of MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. Upon poly(I:C) stimulation, RIG-I forms an oligomer and co-expression of MARCH5 reduces the expression of this oligomer. The RING domain of MARCH5 is necessary for binding to the CARD domain of RIG-I. In an in vivo ubiquitination assay, MARCH5 transfers the Lys 48-linked polyubiquitin to Lys 193 and 203 residues of RIG-I. Thus, dual targeting of active RIG-I and MAVS protein oligomers by MARCH5 is an efficient way to switch-off RLR signaling. We propose that modulation of MARCH5 activity might be beneficial for the treatment of chronic immune diseases.     

The lock-washer: a reconciliation of the RIG-I activation models

RIG-I belongs to a type of intracellular pattern recognition receptors involved in the recognition of viral RNA by the innate immune system. A report by Peisley et al. published in Nature provides the crystal structure of human RIG-I revealing a tetrameric architecture of the RIG-I 2-CARD domain bound by three K63-linked ubiquitin chains, uncovering its activation mechanism for downstream signaling.The recognition of microbial-derived nucleic acids and the correct and specific activation of the molecular machinery governing the mammalian immune response are paramount to host survival during viral infection. Viral RNA represents a key trigger for the activation and mobilization of a series of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) families. While the TLRs are restricted to the cell surface or inside endosomal compartments, the RLRs are present in the cytosol and act as the key sentinels of actively invading and replicating viruses.The RLR family of receptors, RIG-I and Melanoma Differentiation-Associated protein 5 (MDA-5), are characterised by 3 distinct signaling domains critical for viral RNA recognition and response. The C-terminal repressor domain and the internal ATPase-containing DExD/H-box helicase domain of RIG-I function together to facilitate binding of viral dsRNA which contain either a 5′-ppp motif or 5′ blunt-end base-paired RNA with a triphosphate motif, moieties absent on self-nucleic acids¹. Upon viral RNA ligation, two N-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARD), known as 2-CARD, on RIG-I propagate signal transduction via interactions with mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS)². Recent molecular and structural studies have elucidated the mechanisms by which RLR-activated MAVS mediates the antiviral response. During RIG-I signaling, MAVS forms large multimeric prion-like filaments on the mitochondrial membrane which are essential for RIG-I-mediated type I interferon (IFN) production³. Such functional aggregates are capable of recruiting key downstream signaling components such as members of TNF receptor associated factors (TRAF) family, resulting in the activation of the MAPKs, the NF-κB pathway and interferon regulatory factor 3/7 (IRF3/7) and consequently culminating in the upregulation of protective IFNs and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Viral infection is sufficient to convert nearly all endogenous detectable MAVS to functionally active aggregates, and interestingly this phenomenon can be recapitulated in vitro using only mitochondria, RIG-I and K63-linked ubiquitin chains, underscoring the functional importance of polyubiquitination events during RIG-I signaling⁴.In contrast to the well-documented and -accepted paradigm of MAVS activation, the model of RIG-I-mediated activation has remained incompletely understood. The classical model holds that RIG-I remains in an auto-repressed state in the absence of ligand. Upon viral recognition, the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif 25 (TRIM25) binds to the 2-CARD domain of RIG-I, resulting in the covalent conjugation of K63-linked polyubiquitin chains to induce a conformation change in the receptor and facilitate a “release” of the 2-CARD domain for MAVS interaction and activation⁵. However, this simple release model of the 2-CARD domain does not reconcile with recent compelling reports that RIG-I can act as a receptor for unanchored, non-covalently attached ubiquitin chains and that polyubiquitination of RIG-I induces the oligomerization of a heterotetrameric complex consisting of 4 RIG-I and 4 K63-ubiqutin chain molecules^6,7. In addition, although K63-ubiquitination is essential for the signaling potential of isolated 2-CARD molecules, full-length RIG-I can form filaments around the ends of dsRNA molecules, allowing 2-CARD regions of RIG-I molecules to come into close proximity to each other and facilitate MAVS aggregation in an ubiquitin-independent manner⁸.Although such conflicting reports seem to propose vastly different models of RIG-I activation, an elegent study published in Nature by Peisley et al.⁹ uses biochemical and structural studies to reconcile the different models and they finally offer a unified understanding of RIG-I receptor activation. They resolved the crystal structure of human RIG-I 2-CARD in complex with K63-ubiquitin at 3.7 Å. The structure revealed the tetrameric architecture of RIG-I 2-CARD bound by three K63 ubiquitin chains (Figure 1). Crystallization and structure determination reveal that four 2-CARD subunits form a tetrameric helical assembly, termed the “lock washer”, with the two ends displaced by half the thickness of 2-CARD.Open in a separate windowFigure 1A model of RIG-I-mediated antiviral response.Two key questions arise from the RIG-I 2-CARD structure. First, how does the tetrameric architecture of RIG-I serve as a platform to activate downstream signaling? The CARD domain belongs to the death domain (DD) superfamily, members of which have a similar three-dimensional fold. The structures of other DD oligomers such as Myddosome, PIDDosome, or FAS-FADD complex have recently been resolved. The assembly of DD oligomers is usually mediated at six surface areas, with the helical oligomeric structure of upstream signaling molecules serving as a scaffold to assemble the downstream DD oligomers through helical extension. In the current study, the authors show that the assembly and stability of the tetramer and its IFN-β signaling potential are dependent on several intermolecular and intramolecular CARD interactions by generating mutants on different interaction surfaces and analyzing their tetramer formation and IFN-β induction abilities. MAVS filament formation assays indicate that the helical tetrameric structure of RIG-I 2-CARD serves as the platform for MAVS-CARD filament assembly, with the top surface of the second CARD as the primary site for MAVS recruitment⁹.The second pertinent question addressed is how the interaction between ubiquitin and 2-CARD contributes to downstream signaling? Unlike other DD oligomers, tetramer formation of isolated RIG-I 2-CARD requires K63-linked ubiquitin chains. The structure predicts that longer ubiquitin chains might wrap around the 2-CARD tetramer at 1:4 or 2:4 molar ratios to stabilize the 2-CARD tetramerization. Another key problem addressed in this study is the relationship between the covalent conjugation and non-covalent binding of K63-ubiquitin in stabilizing 2-CARD tetramers during RIG-I signaling. The authors challenge previous publications on the significance of 6 lysine (K) residues in both covalent conjugation and non-covalent K63-ubiquitin binding.The authors show that only K6 is covalently conjugated with K63-ubiquitin chains and that non-covalent binding of K63-ubiquitin to 2-CARD can induce a further stabilization of the tetramer complex. RIG-I filament formation on dsRNA with appropriate length can also compensate for the requirement of both covalent and non-covalent K63-ubiquitin binding. Thus they arrive at the conclusion that these three mechanisms might act synergistically for signal activation. This compensatory mechanism could guarantee the detection of foreign pathogen RNA in case of the absence of one or two of the mechanisms or may allow an amplification of the signal potential. One could speculate that such functional redundancy in the initiation stage of signal activation may be a common theme in other innate immunity pathways.The significance of this study lies in the resolution of the structural basis of the activated RIG-I 2-CARD tetramer and its initiation of MAVS aggregation and filament formation — the first elements of the dsRNA sensing signaling cascade that lead to production of type I IFNs and pro-inflammatory cytokines. It provides another detailed example of DD oligomers and adds to the growing realization of a common role of oligomeric molecular scaffolds in mediating innate immune signaling. Such exciting findings will no doubt instigate further study into the exact molecular interactions and mechanisms controlling dsRNA sensing. For example, the authors use a crystallized K115A/R117A 2-CARD double mutant for structural analysis; although it retains the ability to tetramerize with K63-ubiquitin and activate type I IFNs, the structure might still not be consistent with the wild-type 2-CARD and this may warrant further investigation. Furthermore, whether the RIG-I signaling activation mechanism that derived from this structure could be generalized and applied to other CARD domain receptors such as MDA-5, NOD1, NOD2, IPAF and NLRP1 will require further investigation. By utilizing advanced structural determination techniques coupled with sophisticated in vitro assays such as those described in this study, these questions will no doubt be addressed in the near future.     

USP3 inhibits type I interferon signaling by deubiquitinating RIG-I-like receptors

Lysine 63 (K63)-linked ubiquitination of RIG-I plays a critical role in the activation of type I interferon pathway, yet the molecular mechanism responsible for its deubiquitination is still poorly understood. Here we report that the deubiquitination enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (USP3) negatively regulates the activation of type I interferon signaling by targeting RIG-I. Knockdown of USP3 specifically enhanced K63-linked ubiquitination of RIG-I, upregulated the phosphorylation of IRF3 and augmented the production of type I interferon cytokines and antiviral immunity. We further show that there is no interaction between USP3 and RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) in unstimulated or uninfected cells, but upon viral infection or ligand stimulation, USP3 binds to the caspase activation recruitment domain of RLRs and then cleaves polyubiquitin chains through cooperation of its zinc-finger Ub-binding domain and USP catalytic domains. Mutation analysis reveals that binding of USP3 to polyubiquitin chains on RIG-I is a prerequisite step for its cleavage of polyubiquitin chains. Our findings identify a previously unrecognized role of USP3 in RIG-I activation and provide insights into the mechanisms by which USP3 inhibits RIG-I signaling and antiviral immunity.     

Negative Role of RIG-I Serine 8 Phosphorylation in the Regulation of Interferon-�� Production

RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene I) and TRIM25 (tripartite motif protein 25) have emerged as key regulatory factors to induce interferon (IFN)-mediated innate immune responses to limit viral replication. Upon recognition of viral RNA, TRIM25 E3 ligase binds the first caspase recruitment domain (CARD) of RIG-I and subsequently induces lysine 172 ubiquitination of the second CARD of RIG-I, which is essential for the interaction with downstream MAVS/IPS-1/CARDIF/VISA and, thereby, IFN-β mRNA production. Although ubiquitination has emerged as a major factor involved in RIG-I activation, the potential contribution of other post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, to the regulation of RIG-I activity has not been addressed. Here, we report the identification of serine 8 phosphorylation at the first CARD of RIG-I as a negative regulatory mechanism of RIG-I-mediated IFN-β production. Immunoblot analysis with a phosphospecific antibody showed that RIG-I serine 8 phosphorylation steady-state levels were decreased upon stimulation of cells with IFN-β or virus infection. Substitution of serine 8 in the CARD RIG-I functional domain with phosphomimetic aspartate or glutamate results in decreased TRIM25 binding, RIG-I ubiquitination, MAVS binding, and downstream signaling. Finally, sequence comparison reveals that only primate species carry serine 8, whereas other animal species carry an asparagine, indicating that serine 8 phosphorylation may represent a primate-specific regulation of RIG-I activation. Collectively, these data suggest that the phosphorylation of RIG-I serine 8 operates as a negative switch of RIG-I activation by suppressing TRIM25 interaction, further underscoring the importance of RIG-I and TRIM25 connection in type I IFN signal transduction.     

Structural and functional analysis reveals that human OASL binds dsRNA to enhance RIG-I signaling

The oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) enzymes are cytoplasmic dsRNA sensors belonging to the antiviral innate immune system. Upon binding to viral dsRNA, the OAS enzymes synthesize 2′-5′ linked oligoadenylates (2-5As) that initiate an RNA decay pathway to impair viral replication. The human OAS-like (OASL) protein, however, does not harbor the catalytic activity required for synthesizing 2-5As and differs from the other human OAS family members by having two C-terminal ubiquitin-like domains. In spite of its lack of enzymatic activity, human OASL possesses antiviral activity. It was recently demonstrated that the ubiquitin-like domains of OASL could substitute for K63-linked poly-ubiquitin and interact with the CARDs of RIG-I and thereby enhance RIG-I signaling. However, the role of the OAS-like domain of OASL remains unclear. Here we present the crystal structure of the OAS-like domain, which shows a striking similarity with activated OAS1. Furthermore, the structure of the OAS-like domain shows that OASL has a dsRNA binding groove. We demonstrate that the OAS-like domain can bind dsRNA and that mutating key residues in the dsRNA binding site is detrimental to the RIG-I signaling enhancement. Hence, binding to dsRNA is an important feature of OASL that is required for enhancing RIG-I signaling.     

Retinoic acid inducible gene-I,more than a virus sensor

Retinoic acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I) is a caspase recruitment domain (CARD) containing protein that acts as an intracellular RNA receptor and senses virus infection. After binding to double stranded RNA (dsRNA) or 5′-triphosphate single stranded RNA (ssRNA), RIG-I transforms into an open conformation, translocates onto mitochondria, and interacts with the downstream adaptor mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) to induce the production of type I interferon and inflammatory factors via IRF3/7 and NF-κB pathways, respectively. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that RIG-I could function in non-viral systems and participate in a series of biological events, such as inflammation and inflammation related diseases, cell proliferation, apoptosis and even senescence. Here we review recent advances in antiviral study of RIG-I as well as the functions of RIG-I in other fields.     

Regulation of MDA5-MAVS Antiviral Signaling Axis by TRIM25 through TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB Activation

Tripartite motif protein 25 (TRIM25), mediates K63-linked polyubiquitination of Retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I) that is crucial for downstream antiviral interferon signaling. Here, we demonstrate that TRIM25 is required for melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and MAVS mediated activation of NF-κB and interferon production. TRIM25 is required for the full activation of NF-κB at the downstream of MAVS, while it is not involved in IRF3 nuclear translocation. Mechanical studies showed that TRIM25 is involved in TRAF6-mediated NF-κB activation. These collectively indicate that TRIM25 plays an additional role in RIG-I/MDA5 signaling other than RIG-I ubiquitination via activation of NF-κB.     

Expression profiles of carp IRF-3/-7 correlate with the up-regulation of RIG-I/MAVS/TRAF3/TBK1, four pivotal molecules in RIG-I signaling pathway

The cytoplasmic helicase protein RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene I) and downstream signaling molecules, MAVS (mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein), TRAF3 (TNF-receptor-associated factor 3) and TBK1 (TANK-binding kinase 1), have significant roles in the recognition of cytoplasmic 5'-triphosphate ssRNA and short dsRNA, and phosphorylation of IRF-3 (interferon regulatory factor 3) and IRF-7 which is responsible for the induction of type I interferons (IFN). In the present study, the full-length cDNAs of RIG-I, MAVS, TRAF3 and TBK1 were cloned and identified in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The deduced protein of carp RIG-I is of 946 aa (amino acids), consisting of two CARDs (caspase-recruitment domain), a DEXDc (DExD/H box-containing domain), a HELICc (helicase superfamily c-terminal domain) and a RD (regulatory domain). Carp MAVS is of 585 aa, containing a CARD, a proline-rich region and a TM (transmembrane domain). Carp TRAF3 encodes a protein of 573 aa, including a RING (really interesting new gene), two TRAF-type zinc fingers, a coiled coil and a MATH-TRAF3 (meprin and TRAF homology) domain. Carp TBK1 is of 727 aa and contains a S_TKc domain (Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain). Carp RIG-I, MAVS, TRAF3 and TBK1 mRNAs are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues examined. In response to SVCV infection, carp RIG-I and MAVS mRNAs were up-regulated at different levels in spleen, head kidney and intestine tissues at different time points. Similarly, both carp IRF-3 and IRF-7 mRNAs were significantly up-regulated in the detected tissues. Especially in intestine, the IRF-3 and IRF-7 mRNAs of carp increased and reached 25.3-fold (at 3 dpi) and 224.7-fold (at 5 dpi). Noteworthily, a significant growth of carp TRAF3 and TBK1 mRNA was also mainly found in intestine (7.0-fold and 11.3-fold at 5 dpi, respectively). These data implied that the expression profiles of IRF-3/-7 mRNAs in carp correlate with the up-regulation of RIG-I/MAVS/TRAF3/TBK, and carp RIG-I and MAVS may be involved in antiviral responses through the RIG-I viral recognition signaling pathway in a TRAF3/TBK1-dependent manner.     

Virus-induced expression of type I interferon genes

Intracellular double-stranded (ds) RNA is a major sign of replication for many viruses. Host mechanisms detect the dsRNA and provoke antiviral responses. Recently, we identified retinoic acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I), which encodes a DExD/H box RNA helicase containing the caspase recruitment domain (CARD) as a critical regulator for dsRNA-induced signaling. The helicase domain with intact ATPase activity is responsible for recognition of dsRNA, and the CARD transmits downstream signals, resulting in the activation of genes including type I interferons. In this review, we discuss the function of RIG-I in antiviral innate immunity.     

Ubiquitin-mediated modulation of the cytoplasmic viral RNA sensor RIG-I

RIG-I-like receptors, including RIG-I, MDA5 and LGP2, recognize cytoplasmic viral RNA. The RIG-I protein consists of N-terminal CARDs, central RNA helicase and C-terminal domains. RIG-I activation is regulated by ubiquitination. Three ubiquitin ligases target the RIG-I protein. TRIM25 and Riplet ubiquitin ligases are positive regulators of RIG-I and deliver the K63-linked polyubiquitin moiety to RIG-I CARDs and the C-terminal domain. RNF125, another ubiquitin ligase, is a negative regulator of RIG-I and mediates K48-linked polyubiquitination of RIG-I, leading to the degradation of the RIG-I protein by proteasomes. The K63-linked polyubiquitin chains of RIG-I are removed by a deubiquitin enzyme, CYLD. Thus, CYLD is a negative regulator of RIG-I. Furthermore, TRIM25 itself is regulated by ubiquitination. HOIP and HOIL proteins are ubiquitin ligases and are also known as linear ubiquitin assembly complexes (LUBACs). The TRIM25 protein is ubiquitinated by LUBAC and then degraded by proteasomes. The splice variant of RIG-I encodes a protein that lacks the first CARD of RIG-I, and the variant RIG-I protein is not ubiquitinated by TRIM25. Therefore, ubiquitin is the key regulator of the cytoplasmic viral RNA sensor RIG-I.     

Evolution of a Novel Antiviral Immune-Signaling Interaction by Partial-Gene Duplication

The RIG-like receptors (RLRs) are related proteins that identify viral RNA in the cytoplasm and activate cellular immune responses, primarily through direct protein-protein interactions with the signal transducer, IPS1. Although it has been well established that the RLRs, RIG-I and MDA5, activate IPS1 through binding between the twin caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARDs) on the RLR and a homologous CARD on IPS1, it is less clear which specific RLR CARD(s) are required for this interaction, and almost nothing is known about how the RLR-IPS1 interaction evolved. In contrast to what has been observed in the presence of immune-modulating K63-linked polyubiquitin, here we show that—in the absence of ubiquitin—it is the first CARD domain of human RIG-I and MDA5 (CARD1) that binds directly to IPS1 CARD, and not the second (CARD2). Although the RLRs originated in the earliest animals, both the IPS1 gene and the twin-CARD domain architecture of RIG-I and MDA5 arose much later in the deuterostome lineage, probably through a series of tandem partial-gene duplication events facilitated by tight clustering of RLRs and IPS1 in the ancestral deuterostome genome. Functional differentiation of RIG-I CARD1 and CARD2 appears to have occurred early during this proliferation of RLR and related CARDs, potentially driven by adaptive coevolution between RIG-I CARD domains and IPS1 CARD. However, functional differentiation of MDA5 CARD1 and CARD2 occurred later. These results fit a general model in which duplications of protein-protein interaction domains into novel gene contexts could facilitate the expansion of signaling networks and suggest a potentially important role for functionally-linked gene clusters in generating novel immune-signaling pathways.     

Histone demethylase LSD1 promotes RIG-I poly-ubiquitination and anti-viral gene expression

Under RNA virus infection, retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) in host cells recognizes viral RNA and activates the expression of type I IFN. To investigate the roles of protein methyltransferases and demethylases in RIG-I antiviral signaling pathway, we screened all the known related enzymes with a siRNA library and identified LSD1 as a positive regulator for RIG-I signaling. Exogenous expression of LSD1 enhances RIG-I signaling activated by virus stimulation, whereas its deficiency restricts it. LSD1 interacts with RIG-I, promotes its K63-linked polyubiquitination and interaction with VISA/MAVS. Interestingly, LSD1 exerts its function in antiviral response not dependent on its demethylase activity but through enhancing the interaction between RIG-I with E3 ligases, especially TRIM25. Furthermore, we provide in vivo evidence that LSD1 increases antiviral gene expression and inhibits viral replication. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that LSD1 is a positive regulator of signaling pathway triggered by RNA-virus through mediating RIG-I polyubiquitination.     

Oligomerization of RIG‐I and MDA5 2CARD domains

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. The retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I) like receptors (RLRs), RIG‐I and melanoma differentiation‐associated protein 5 (MDA5), are critical for host recognition of viral RNAs. These receptors contain a pair of N‐terminal tandem caspase activation and recruitment domains (2CARD), an SF2 helicase core domain, and a C‐terminal regulatory domain. Upon RLR activation, 2CARD associates with the CARD domain of MAVS, leading to the oligomerization of MAVS, downstream signaling and interferon induction. Unanchored K63‐linked polyubiquitin chains (polyUb) interacts with the 2CARD domain, and in the case of RIG‐I, induce tetramer formation. However, the nature of the MDA5 2CARD signaling complex is not known. We have used sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation to compare MDA5 2CARD and RIG‐I 2CARD binding to polyUb and to characterize the assembly of MDA5 2CARD oligomers in the absence of polyUb. Multi‐signal sedimentation velocity analysis indicates that Ub₄ binds to RIG‐I 2CARD with a 3:4 stoichiometry and cooperatively induces formation of an RIG‐I 2CARD tetramer. In contrast, Ub₄ and Ub₇ interact with MDA5 2CARD weakly and form complexes with 1:1 and 2:1 stoichiometries but do not induce 2CARD oligomerization. In the absence of polyUb, MDA5 2CARD self‐associates to forms large oligomers in a concentration‐dependent manner. Thus, RIG‐I and MDA5 2CARD assembly processes are distinct. MDA5 2CARD concentration‐dependent self‐association, rather than polyUb binding, drives oligomerization and MDA5 2CARD forms oligomers larger than tetramer. We propose a mechanism where MDA5 2CARD oligomers, rather than a stable tetramer, function to nucleate MAVS polymerization.     

Conventional protein kinase C-α (PKC-α) and PKC-β negatively regulate RIG-I antiviral signal transduction

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) is a key sensor for viral RNA in the cytosol, and it initiates a signaling cascade that leads to the establishment of an interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral state. Because of its integral role in immune signaling, RIG-I activity must be precisely controlled. Recent studies have shown that RIG-I CARD-dependent signaling function is regulated by the dynamic balance between phosphorylation and TRIM25-induced K₆₃-linked ubiquitination. While ubiquitination of RIG-I is critical for RIG-I''s ability to induce an antiviral IFN response, phosphorylation of RIG-I at S₈ or T₁₇₀ suppresses RIG-I signal-transducing activity under normal conditions. Here, we not only further define the roles of S₈ and T₁₇₀ phosphorylation for controlling RIG-I activity but also identify conventional protein kinase C-α (PKC-α) and PKC-β as important negative regulators of the RIG-I signaling pathway. Mutational analysis indicated that while the phosphorylation of S₈ or T₁₇₀ potently inhibits RIG-I downstream signaling, the dephosphorylation of RIG-I at both residues is necessary for optimal TRIM25 binding and ubiquitination-mediated RIG-I activation. Furthermore, exogenous expression, gene silencing, and specific inhibitor treatment demonstrated that PKC-α/β are the primary kinases responsible for RIG-I S₈ and T₁₇₀ phosphorylation. Coimmunoprecipitation showed that PKC-α/β interact with RIG-I under normal conditions, leading to its phosphorylation, which suppresses TRIM25 binding, RIG-I CARD ubiquitination, and thereby RIG-I-mediated IFN induction. PKC-α/β double-knockdown cells exhibited markedly decreased S₈/T₁₇₀ phosphorylation levels of RIG-I and resistance to infection by vesicular stomatitis virus. Thus, these findings demonstrate that PKC-α/β-induced RIG-I phosphorylation is a critical regulatory mechanism for controlling RIG-I antiviral signal transduction under normal conditions.