Viral Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like Deconjugases—Swiss Army Knives for Infection

Viral Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like Deconjugases—Swiss Army Knives for Infection

Maria Grazia Masucci

Posttranslational modifications of cellular proteins by covalent conjugation of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like polypeptides regulate numerous cellular processes that are captured by viruses to promote infection, replication, and spreading. The importance of these protein modifications for the viral life cycle is underscored by the discovery that many viruses encode deconjugases that reverse their functions. The structural and functional characterization of these viral enzymes and the identification of their viral and cellular substrates is providing valuable insights into the biology of viral infections and the host’s antiviral defense. Given the growing body of evidence demonstrating their key contribution to pathogenesis, the viral deconjugases are now recognized as attractive targets for the design of novel antiviral therapeutics.

2020

coronavirus, type-I IFN, Herpesvirus, innate immunity, ubiquitin-like deconjugase, virus cycle

10.3390/biom10081137

Epidemiology and Health

Korean Society of Epidemiology

Microbiology