UFD1 facilitates GAstV-II replication in GEF cells via suppressing type I interferon production

Ubiquitin recognition factor in ER-associated degradation protein 1 (UFD1), a core component of the conserved AAA + ATPase complex, plays a crucial role in maintaining proteostasis through the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. Goose astrovirus II (GAstV-II), the causative agent of gout in goslings, has posed a serious threat to the goose industry in China since 2020. In this study, the goose UFD1 gene was cloned for the first time, and its regulatory role during GAstV-II infection was investigated. We found that goose UFD1 exhibited the highest homology with its duck ortholog and that GAstV-II infection upregulated UFD1 protein expression in goose embryo fibroblasts (GEFs). Functionally, overexpression of UFD1 promoted GAstV-II replication in GEF cells, whereas knockdown UFD1 had the opposite effect. Further study demonstrated that UFD1 supported GAstV-II replication via inhibiting type I interferon (INF-I) production. In summary, these data identified UFD1 as a positive regulator of GAstV-II replication through suppressing IFN-I expression, providing new insights into the molecular interplay between GAstV-II and host cells.