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Cell-recycling protein turns out to double as a flu virus fighter

PubMed · 2026-09-16

A protein best known for helping cells recycle their own parts also helps the body fight influenza A by boosting the antiviral interferon alarm. It works through a separate route from recycling, which points to new ways of thinking about flu defenses in animal and human cells.

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ATG13 restricts influenza A virus replication and enhances type I interferon antiviral signalling.

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ATG13 binds the signalling protein MAVS and recruits the E3 ubiquitin ligase ASB1, which adds K63-linked polyubiquitin chains at the K348 residue of MAVS.

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Dual-luciferase reporter assays and pharmacological autophagy inhibition showed the antiviral role is independent of canonical autophagy.

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