SNX-BAR proteins 5 and 6 are required for NCOA7-AS antiviral activity against influenza A virus

Interferon-induced antiviral proteins act on the first line of defense against viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV). Among those, the short isoform of nuclear receptor coactivator 7 (NCOA7-AS) has been shown to inhibit IAV entry and more especially the fusion between endosomal and viral membranes. Ectopic expression of NCOA7-AS leads to the increased acidification of the endolysosomal pathway, putatively through NCOA7-AS interaction with the vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase). However, the precise mechanism of action of NCOA7-AS is not fully understood. Here, we identified the cellular partners of NCOA7-AS by mass spectrometry, including the V-ATPase subunits known to interact with NCOA7-AS. A point mutation disrupting the interaction with the V-ATPase led to loss of antiviral activity against IAV, demonstrating that V-ATPase engagement is required for the antiviral phenotype. Moreover, sorting nexin (SNX) 1/2/5/6 were identified as novel partners of NCOA7-AS. These proteins are involved in retrograde transport of cellular cargoes from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network. We revealed that SNX5/6 interacted directly with NCOA7-AS and were essential for NCOA7-AS antiviral activity against IAV. Interestingly, crystal structures of NCOA7-AS/SNX5 complexes showed that the SNX5-interaction motif in NCOA7-AS was similar to those found in known cargoes of SNX5/6. In addition, we could pinpoint several critical residues that were important for binding and antiviral activity. Collectively, our study identifies novel essential partners for NCOA7-AS antiviral activity and the structural basis for their interaction.