title: 5'-Triphosphate-RNA-independent activation of RIG-I via RNA aptamer with enhanced antiviral activity.
abstract: RIG-I is a cytosolic receptor for non-self RNA that mediates immune responses against viral infections through IFNα/β production. In an attempt to identify novel tools that modulate IFNα/β production, we used SELEX technology to screen RNA aptamers that specifically target RIG-I protein. Most of the selected RIG-I aptamers contained polyU motifs in the second half regions that played critical roles in the activation of RIG-I-mediated IFNβ production. Unlike other known ligands, RIG-I aptamer bound and activated RIG-I in a 5'-triphosphate-independent manner. The helicase and RD domain of RIG-I were used for aptamer binding, but intact RIG-I protein was required to exert aptamer-mediated signaling activation. Furthermore, replication of NDV, VSV and influenza virus in infected host cells was efficiently blocked by pre- or post-treatment with RIG-I aptamer. Based on these data, we propose that RIG-I aptamer has strong potential to be an antiviral agent that specifically boosts the RIG-I-dependent signaling cascade.
authors: Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sun-Young
authors: SY
authors: Hwang
authors: Hwa-Young
authors: HY
authors: Sun
authors: Kwang-Hoon
authors: KH
authors: Lee
authors: Byung-Ha
authors: BH
authors: Oh
authors: Yu Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Cha
authors: Byeang Hyean
authors: BH
authors: Kim
authors: Joo-Yeon
authors: JY
authors: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D000071457:DEAD Box Protein 58; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011072:Poly U / Q000737:chemistry; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000737:chemistry; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D052156:SELEX Aptamer Technique; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D011122:Polyphosphates; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011072:Poly U; D012313:RNA; D016899:Interferon-beta; C452820:RIGI protein, human; D000071457:DEAD Box Protein 58; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; C005692:triphosphoric acid