RAD23A negatively regulates RIG-I/MDA5 signaling through promoting TRAF2 polyubiquitination and degradation

RIG-I/MDA5 plays a pivotal role in innate immunity by detecting intracellular double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and activating the transcription of type I interferons and proinflammatory factors, but the exactly regulating mechanism of RIG-I/MDA5 signaling remains elusive. In this study, UbL-UBA domain containing protein RAD23A was identified as a negative regulator of RIG-I/MDA5-mediated signaling activation through a small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based screening. Knockdown of RAD23A augmented the expression of RIG-I/MDA5-mediated expression of proinflammatory cytokines and IFN-β whereas ectopic expression of RAD23A showed the converse effect. Moreover, we confirmed the interaction between RAD23A and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), an essential mediator of RIG-I/MDA5 signaling, and found that RAD23A down-regulated TRAF2 protein level through ubiquitin–proteasome system. Therefore, this study identified RAD23A as a novel negative regulator of RIG-I/MDA5 mediated anti-virus response.

► RAD23A negatively regulates RIG-I/MDA5 mediated signaling.
► RAD23A interacts with TRAF2 through UBA1 domain.
► RAD23A promotes TRAF2 ubiquitin-proteasome dependent degradation.