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Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Monitoring Activation of the Antiviral Pattern Recognition Receptors RIG-I And PKR By Limited Protease Digestion and Native PAGE
Published on: July 29, 2014
Keap1 recognizes EIAV early accessory protein Rev to promote antiviral defense
Yan Wang1, Guanqin Ma1, Xue-Feng Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Abstract:
The Nrf2/Keap1 axis plays a complex role in viral susceptibility, virus-associated inflammation and immune regulation in host cells. However, whether or how the Nrf2/Keap1 axis is involved in the interactions between equine lentiviruses and their hosts remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the Nrf2/Keap1 axis was activated during EIAV infection. Mechanistically, EIAV-Rev competitively binds to Keap1 and releases Nrf2 from Keap1-mediated repression, leading to the accumulation of Nrf2 in the nucleus and promoting Nrf2 responsive genes transcription. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the Nrf2/Keap1 axis represses EIAV replication via two independent molecular mechanisms: directly increasing antioxidant enzymes to promote effective cellular resistance against EIAV infection, and repression of Rev-mediated RNA transport through direct interaction between Keap1 and Rev. Together, these data suggest that activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 axis mediates a passive defensive response to combat EIAV infection. The Nrf2/Keap1 axis could be a potential target for developing strategies for combating EIAV infection.
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