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Mx GTPases: efficient host defense against viral intruders

Sébastien Soubies1, Otto Haller2

  • 1Unité de virologie, immunologie et parasitologie aviaires et cunicoles/Avian and Rabbit Virology Immunology and Parasitology Unit (VIPAC), Zoopole, rue des Fusillés, BP 53, 22440 Ploufragan, France.

Virologie (Montrouge, France)
|October 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Mx proteins are interferon-induced GTPases that block viral replication. Human MxA inhibits influenza A, while MxB targets HIV-1, acting as molecular machines against viruses.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Mx proteins are interferon-induced dynamin superfamily GTPases.
  • They are crucial in innate immunity, inhibiting viral replication.
  • Human MxA (MX1) and MxB (MX2) have distinct antiviral specificities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the antiviral functions of Mx GTPases.
  • To highlight their role as molecular machines targeting viral nucleocapsids.
  • To discuss evolutionary aspects of Mx protein-virus interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing structural and functional data.
  • Analysis of evolutionary studies on Mx GTPase specificity.
  • Examination of antiviral mechanisms at the molecular level.

Main Results:

  • Mx proteins inhibit viruses by targeting nucleocapsids, blocking replication.
  • Human MxA acts as a barrier against zoonotic influenza A.
  • Human MxB inhibits HIV-1 and other primate lentiviruses.

Conclusions:

  • Mx GTPases are conserved molecular machines with potent antiviral activity.
  • Their specificity is shaped by co-evolutionary arms races with viruses.
  • Mx proteins represent a key defense mechanism against viral infections.
Keywords:
HIV-1Mx GTPaseantiviral actioncross-species transmissionescape mutationsevolutioninfluenza virusinterferon

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