Regulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and antiviral innate immunity by ubiquitination and ubiquitin-like conjugation

Yi Zheng; Huiyu Yang; Xuejing Zhang; Chengjiang Gao

doi:10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194984

Regulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and antiviral innate immunity by ubiquitination and ubiquitin-like conjugation

Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech. 2023 Dec;1866(4):194984. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194984. Epub 2023 Sep 17.

Authors

Yi Zheng¹, Huiyu Yang², Xuejing Zhang², Chengjiang Gao³

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. Electronic address: zhengyiabc2011@sdu.edu.cn.
² Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. Electronic address: cgao@sdu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37717938
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194984

Abstract

A global pandemic COVID-19 resulting from SARS-CoV-2 has affected a significant portion of the human population. Antiviral innate immunity is critical for controlling and eliminating the viral infection. Ubiquitination is extensively involved in antiviral signaling, and recent studies suggest that ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) modifications also participate in innate antiviral pathways such as RLR and cGAS-STING pathways. Notably, virus infection harnesses ubiquitination and Ubls modifications to facilitate viral replication and counteract innate antiviral immunity. These observations indicate that ubiquitination and Ubls modifications are critical checkpoints for the tug-of-war between virus and host. This review discusses the current progress regarding the modulation of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle and antiviral innate immune pathways by ubiquitination and Ubls modifications. This paper emphasizes the arising concept that ubiquitination and Ubls modifications are powerful modulators of virus and host interaction and potential drug targets for treating the infection of SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: Innate antiviral immunity; SARS-CoV-2; Ubiquitin-like conjugation; Ubiquitination.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Immunity, Innate
SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism
Ubiquitin / metabolism
Ubiquitination
Ubiquitins / metabolism
Virus Diseases*
Viruses* / metabolism

Substances

Ubiquitin
Ubiquitins