m6A-modified RIOK3 activated the NF-κB-signaling pathway by CDC42, promoting the replication and proliferation of enterovirus
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Updated: May 27, 2025

A High Resolution Method to Monitor Phosphorylation-dependent Activation of IRF3
Published on: January 24, 2016
Xiaolan Liu1, Hua Wang2, Mengran Yuan2
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Norinco General Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, PR China.
Abstract:
Enterovirus infections are implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, such as viral myocarditis, meningitis, and pancreatitis. These infections activate innate and inflammatory immune responses upon viral entry into host cells. However, the precise mechanisms through which enteroviruses induce inflammation to facilitate viral replication remain unclear. N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A), one of the most abundant internal modifications on eukaryotic mRNAs, is regulated by METTL3, a key "writer" enzyme in the m6A methyltransferase complex. This study identifies RIO kinase 3 (RIOK3), a serine-threonine protein kinase, involved in innate immunity, inflammation, and cell cycle regulation, as a critical factor in Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection. CVB3 infection significantly increases RIOK3 expression both in vivo and in vitro, accompanied by elevated m6A modifications on RIOK3 mRNA. METTL3-mediated m6A modification enhances RIOK3 transcription, which in turn downregulates CDC42, a small GTPase of the Rho subfamily, that regulates key cellular processes, including antiviral signaling. This suppression of CDC42 promotes CVB3 replication. Additionally, RIOK3 and CDC42 modulate the NF-κB signaling pathway, a pivotal regulator of inflammatory and immune responses during infection. These findings reveal that m6A-modified RIOK3 promotes enterovirus replication by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway via CDC42 suppression, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of enterovirus pathogenesis.
Insights
Enterovirus infections utilize N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of RIO kinase 3 (RIOK3) to promote viral replication. This process involves suppressing CDC42 and activating NF-κB signaling, driving inflammation and pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Enteroviruses cause inflammatory diseases like myocarditis and meningitis.
- Viral entry triggers innate and inflammatory immune responses, but mechanisms for inflammation-induced replication are unclear.
- N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key mRNA modification regulated by METTL3, influencing gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of RIO kinase 3 (RIOK3) in Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection.
- To investigate the involvement of m6A modification in enterovirus pathogenesis.
- To understand how RIOK3 and CDC42 interaction affects viral replication and immune signaling.
Main Methods:
- Investigated RIOK3 expression in CVB3-infected cells and animal models.
- Assessed m6A modification levels on RIOK3 mRNA.
- Analyzed the impact of RIOK3 and METTL3 on CDC42 expression and NF-κB signaling.
- Studied the effect of CDC42 modulation on CVB3 replication.
Main Results:
- CVB3 infection significantly upregulated RIOK3 expression and m6A modification of RIOK3 mRNA.
- METTL3-mediated m6A enhanced RIOK3 transcription, leading to CDC42 downregulation.
- Suppression of CDC42 promoted CVB3 replication.
- RIOK3 and CDC42 modulated the NF-κB signaling pathway, impacting inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- m6A-modified RIOK3 promotes enterovirus replication by activating NF-κB signaling through CDC42 suppression.
- This pathway offers new insights into enterovirus pathogenesis and inflammatory disease mechanisms.
- RIOK3 is identified as a critical factor in CVB3 infection and innate immunity.
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