Involvement of E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Viral Infections of the Human Host

Viral infections are one of the principal causes of global primary health crises, with increased rate of infection and mortality demonstrated by the newer progeny of viruses. Viral invasion of the host involves utilization of various cellular machinery. Ubiquitination is one of a few central regulatory systems used by viruses for establishment of the infections in the host. Members of the ubiquitination system are involved in carrying out proteasomal degradation or functional modification of proteins in numerous cellular processes. E3 ubiquitin ligases play a major role in this system through recognition and recruitment of protein substrates and catalyzing the transfer of ubiquitin to these substrates. The versatility of ubiquitin ligases frequently makes them useful tools for the viruses, for either utilizing or degrading other cellular machineries, for carrying out their multiplication or inactivating the defensive strategies of the host. Therefore, these ligases are important targets for aiming at major pathways causing viral protein degradation or functional modification of the infection process. In this review, we have discussed the role and mechanism of different types of ubiquitin ligases in the context of infections of mainly human viruses, highlighting the viral proteins directly interacting with the ligases. Knowledge about these direct interactions is central in understanding the ubiquitin-dependent processes. This comprehensive account may also be beneficial for pharmaceutical exploration of E3 ligase-based broad-spectrum antiviral treatment.