The E3 ligase TRIM56 is a host restriction factor of Zika virus and depends on its RNA-binding activity but not miRNA regulation, for antiviral function

Yang, Darong; Li, Nan L.; Wei, Dahai; Liu, Baoming; Guo, Fang; Elbahesh, Husni; Zhang, Yunzhi; Zhou, Zhi; Chen, Guo-Yun; Li, Kui

In summary, the present study identifies TRIM56 as a novel restriction factor of ZIKV, deepening our understanding of host intrinsic mechanisms that fend off this medically important flavivirus and broadening the antiviral spectrum of TRIM56. Moreover, the revelation that TRIM56 is an RNA-binding protein that associates with viral RNAs in ZIKV-infected cells and in cell-free reactions unravels new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which TRIM56 restricts flaviviruses. Further investigations that elucidate the precise action mechanism of TRIM56 may expose therapeutic targets that can be harnessed to combat ZIKV and possibly other flavivirus infections.