Trends in Microbiology
Volume 21, Issue 4, April 2013, Pages 181-186
Journal home page for Trends in Microbiology

Review
Interferon-induced ISG15 pathway: an ongoing virus–host battle

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2013.01.005Get rights and content

ISG15 is an interferon (IFN)-induced ubiquitin-like protein that is conjugated to target proteins via the sequential action of three enzymes that are also induced by IFN. Unlike ubiquitin, which is highly conserved, the sequence of ISG15 varies between species. ISG15 conjugation inhibits many viruses, and free (unconjugated) ISG15 can also act as an antiviral protein. In this review, we focus on the antiviral role of ISG15 conjugation and on countermeasures employed by several viruses. The countermeasure by influenza B virus is unique in that it exhibits species specificity. Only the antiviral activity of human and non-human primate ISG15s can be blocked, providing one possible explanation for the restriction of influenza B virus to humans.

Highlights

► ISG15 has antiviral activity and is conjugated to viral proteins during infection. ► Some viral proteins bind ISG15 to counter its antiviral activity. ► NS1B protein of influenza B virus binds only human and non-human primate ISG15s. ► Other viral proteins remove ISG15 from proteins to counter antiviral activity.

Keywords

interferon
ISG15
influenza B virus
NS1B protein
species specificity
ovarian tumor domain

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