The long term objective for this project is to understand the regulatory mechanisms and specific mediators of innate antiviral responses. A major contribution to host immune responses to virus infection is the production of and response to type I interferon (IFN). Virus infection or accumulated virus replication intermediates like double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can trigger IFN biosynthesis in most cells irrespective of the presence of Toll-like receptor systems. Detection of cytosolic dsRNA is mediated by a family of sensor proteins that includes RIG-I, MDA5, and LGP2, three proteins that contain DEXD/H-box RNA helicase domains. RIG-I and MDA5 helicase domains are fused to an N-terminal region homologous to CARD domain proteins, and are positive signaling proteins leading to IFN biosynthesis. LGP2 lacks the CARD domain, and has been characterized as a feedback inhibitor for IFN synthesis. Despite the RNA helicase domain similarities, little is known about the specific enzymatic activities and how catalytic activity can influence the signaling. Preliminary results and published reports reveal a high degree of specificity in RNA recognition and differential requirements for enzymatic activity among the helicase proteins. Further specificity is revealed by natural inhibitors, paramyxovirus V proteins, that selectively target MDA5 and LGP2, but not RIG-I. This proposal will determine RNA target preferences and roles for enzymatic specialization that confer specificity and selectivity to helicase-mediated antiviral responses. The molecular basis for selective paramyxovirus helicase interference will be revealed and correlated with biological evaluation of the contributions of MDA5 and LGP2 to host responses. Regulatory mechanisms and cellular partners for helicase-mediated signaling will be characterized.
These aims will expose specificity determinants for both positive and negative regulation of the intracellular innate antiviral response. Paramyxoviruses like measles, mumps human parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial viruses, as well as other RNA viruses including influenza, HIV, Ebola and hepatitis C viruses are infectious threats to human health worldwide. The proposed experiments will reveal basic mechanisms of cellular antiviral responses and determine the molecular basis for both cellular and viral inhibition mechanisms. This strategy will reveal the strengths and vulnerabilities of the antiviral response and identify targets for therapeutic intervention.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI073919-02
Application #
7537156
Study Section
Virology - B Study Section (VIRB)
Program Officer
Cassetti, Cristina
Project Start
2007-12-15
Project End
2009-03-31
Budget Start
2008-12-01
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$32,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Northshore University Healthsystem
Department
Type
DUNS #
069490621
City
Evanston
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60201
Parisien, Jean-Patrick; Lenoir, Jessica J; Mandhana, Roli et al. (2018) RNA sensor LGP2 inhibits TRAF ubiquitin ligase to negatively regulate innate immune signaling. EMBO Rep 19:
Mandhana, Roli; Horvath, Curt M (2018) Sendai Virus Infection Induces Expression of Novel RNAs in Human Cells. Sci Rep 8:16815
Komuro, Akihiko; Homma, Yuya; Negoro, Takaharu et al. (2016) The TAR-RNA binding protein is required for immunoresponses triggered by Cardiovirus infection. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 480:187-193
Bruns, Annie M; Horvath, Curt M (2015) LGP2 synergy with MDA5 in RLR-mediated RNA recognition and antiviral signaling. Cytokine 74:198-206
Gale Jr, Michael; Horvath, Curt M (2015) Editorial overview: Antiviral strategies. Curr Opin Virol 12:v-vii
Rodriguez, Kenny R; Horvath, Curt M (2014) Paramyxovirus V protein interaction with the antiviral sensor LGP2 disrupts MDA5 signaling enhancement but is not relevant to LGP2-mediated RLR signaling inhibition. J Virol 88:8180-8
Rodriguez, Kenny R; Bruns, Annie M; Horvath, Curt M (2014) MDA5 and LGP2: accomplices and antagonists of antiviral signal transduction. J Virol 88:8194-200
Bruns, Annie M; Horvath, Curt M (2014) Antiviral RNA recognition and assembly by RLR family innate immune sensors. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 25:507-12
Bruns, Annie M; Leser, George P; Lamb, Robert A et al. (2014) The innate immune sensor LGP2 activates antiviral signaling by regulating MDA5-RNA interaction and filament assembly. Mol Cell 55:771-81
Bruns, Annie M; Pollpeter, Darja; Hadizadeh, Nastaran et al. (2013) ATP hydrolysis enhances RNA recognition and antiviral signal transduction by the innate immune sensor, laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2). J Biol Chem 288:938-46

Showing the most recent 10 out of 19 publications