RNA recognition by PKR during DNA virus infection

Abstract

Protein kinase R (PKR) is a double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding protein that plays a crucial role in innate immunity during viral infection and can restrict both DNA and RNA viruses. The potency of its antiviral function is further reflected by the large number of viral‐encoded PKR antagonists. However, much about the regulation of dsRNA accumulation and PKR activation during viral infection remains unknown. Since DNA viruses do not have an RNA genome or RNA replication intermediates like RNA viruses do, PKR‐mediated dsRNA detection in the context of DNA virus infection is particularly intriguing. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the regulation of PKR activation and its antagonism during infection with DNA viruses.

Natural compound Alternol actives multiple endoplasmic reticulum stress-responding pathways contributing to cell death

“…A further mechanistic study is warranted to dissect Alternol-induced activation of PERK and IRE1α cascades, although ROS dependency was confirmed (Li et al, 2021;Yang et al, 2024). PKR is one of the four eIF2α kinases (Jackson et al, 2010) and it is mainly activated after viral infection in mammalian cells (Park et al, 2006;Zhang and Karijolich, 2024). However, recent studies showed that PKR activation was also involved in eIF2α/ S51 phosphorylation and immunogenic cell death induced by chemo-drugs in melanoma and breast cancer cells (Giglio et al, 2018;Li et al, 2022).…”

“…PKR is one of the four eIF2α kinases ( Jackson et al, 2010 ) and it is mainly activated after viral infection in mammalian cells ( Park et al, 2006 ; Zhang and Karijolich, 2024 ). However, recent studies showed that PKR activation was also involved in eIF2α/S51 phosphorylation and immunogenic cell death induced by chemo-drugs in melanoma and breast cancer cells ( Giglio et al, 2018 ; Li et al, 2022 ).…”