E3 Ubiquitin Ligase RNF114 Inhibits Innate Immune Response to Red-Spotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus Infection in Sea Perch by Targeting MAVS and TRAF3 to Mediate Their Degradation

Abstract

RIG-I-like receptor (RLR)-mediated antiviral signaling is critical to trigger the immune response to virus infection; however, the antiviral responses are also tightly regulated to avoid uncontrolled production of type I IFN by various mechanisms, including ubiquitination. In this study, an E3 ubiquitin ligase ring finger protein 114 (RNF114) from sea perch (Lateolabrax japonicus) (LjRNF114) was identified as a suppressor of RLR signaling pathways during red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) infection. RGNNV infection promoted the expression of LjRNF114. Overexpression of LjRNF114 enhanced RGNNV replication, whereas knockdown of LjRNF114 led to opposite effects. Type I IFN production induced by RGNNV was suppressed by LjRNF114, which is dependent on its ubiquitin ligase activity. Moreover, LjRNF114 inhibited IFN promoter activation induced by key signaling molecules in RLR signaling pathways. We observed the interactions between LjRNF114 and both sea perch mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) and TNFR-associated factor 3 (TRAF3). Domain mapping experiments indicated that the RING and ubiquitin interacting motif domains of LjRNF114 were required for its interaction with TRAF3 and MAVS. We found that LjRNF114 targeted MAVS and TRAF3 for K27- and K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in the inhibition of IFN production. Taken together, our study reveals, to our knowledge, a novel mechanism that LjRNF114 targets and promotes K27- and K48-linked ubiquitination of MAVS and TRAF3 to negatively regulate the RLR signaling pathways, promoting viral infection.