UBL7 enhances antiviral innate immunity by promoting Lys27-linked polyubiquitination of MAVS

Abstract

RNA virus infection usually triggers a range of host immune responses, including the induction of proinflammatory cytokines, interferons, and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Here, we report that UBL7, a ubiquitin-like protein, is upregulated during RNA virus infection and induced by type I interferon as an ISG. UBL7-deficient mice exhibit increased susceptibility to viral infection due to attenuated antiviral innate immunity. UBL7 enhances innate immune response to viral infection by promoting the K27-linked polyubiquitination of MAVS. UBL7 interacts with TRIM21, an E3 ubiquitin ligase of MAVS, and promotes the combination of TRIM21 with MAVS in a dose-dependent manner, facilitating the K27-linked polyubiquitination of MAVS and recruiting of TBK1 to enhance the IFN signaling pathway. Moreover, UBL7 has a broad-spectrum antiviral function as an immunomodulatory adaptor protein. Therefore, UBL7 positively regulates innate antiviral signaling and promotes positive feedback to enhance and amplify the antiviral response.