Life Science Seminar

 

▶ Subject :  Host-Pathogen Standoff: Roles of Pattern Recognizing Receptors and Intracellular Restriction Factors in Antiviral Immune Response

▶ Speaker: Prof. Jae Ung Jung(distinguished university Professor)

▶ Date :  4:00PM/ Apr. 30(Mon)/2012

▶ Place :  Aditorium(1F), Postech Biotech Center

 

*Abstract
  Understanding the host-viral interaction is an essential step in developing safe and effective anti-microbials against viruses. Since virus is most vulnerable at the early stage of lifecycle, this stage should therefore offer the best opportunity for therapeutic interventions. The early detection of invading viruses by the host depends on a limited number of Pattern Recognizing Receptors (PRRs) that serve as the primary intracellular sensors for viral specific genetic patterns and activate signal transduction cascades, thereby triggering interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral defense mechanisms. Key virus-detecting PRRs include the nucleic acid-recognizing Toll-like receptors and the cytosolic RNA receptors RIG-I and MDA-5. Specifically, RIG-I has emerged as a key receptor in sensing viruses, including the influenza virus and hepatitis virus C (HCV), whereas MDA5 responds to the infection of picornaviruses and noroviruses. Upon viral infection, RIG-I undergoes the multiple step processes of ATP-dependent structural and functional activations to elicit IFN-mediated antiviral signal transduction. In addition, members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins and the Linear Ubiquitination Assembly Complex (LUBAC) proteins also play major roles in the IFN-mediated inhibition of the lifecycles of viruses.
  Following the PRR-mediated viral sensing, hosts subsequently elicit intracellular restriction factor-mediated defensing mechanisms to interfere with various stages of virus’s early life cycle to prevent acute/persistent infection. Among various intracellular restriction factors, the interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins inhibit the entry processes of influenza virus, dengue virus, West Nile virus, and HIV. Specifically, IFITM-mediated restriction is localized to a late stage in the endocytic pathway by disturbing intracellular cholesterol homeostatic balances. Collectively, this talk will describe a family of host antiviral factors that mediate and elicit host’s innate immunity against viral infections.

☎ Inquiry : Prof. Kim You-Me(279-0689)