Unraveling the role of the MOV10 RNA helicase during influenza A virus infection

• Published in: Biochemical journal Vol. 476; no. 6; p. 1005
• Main Authors: Villalón-Letelier, Fernando, Reading, Patrick C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 27.03.2019
• Subjects: Cytoplasm; Humans; Infections; Influenza A virus; RNA Helicases; influenza; antiviral; RNA helicase
• ISSN: 1470-8728
• DOI: 10.1042/BCJ20190018

Moloney leukemia virus 10 (MOV10) is an interferon-inducible RNA helicase that has been implicated in a broad range of cellular functions, including modulating the replication of a diverse range of viruses. However, the mechanisms by which MOV10 promotes or inhibits the replication of particular viruses have not been well defined. A recent paper published in the by Li et al. [Biochem. J. (2019) , 467-481] provides insight regarding the mechanisms by which MOV10 restricts influenza A virus (IAV) infection in host cells. First, the authors confirm that MOV10 binds to the viral nucleoprotein (NP) and sequesters the viral ribonucleoprotein complex in cytoplasmic granules called processing (P)-bodies, thus inhibiting IAV replication. Second, they demonstrate that the non-structural (NS)1 protein of IAV can act as an antagonist of MOV10, inhibiting the association of MOV10 with NP and promoting MOV10 degradation through the lysosomal pathway. Further research will determine if cellular RNA helicases such as MOV10 represent suitable targets for the development of novel anti-IAV therapies.