SARS-CoV-2 NSP5 and N protein counteract the RIG-I signaling pathway by suppressing the formation of stress granules

As a highly pathogenic human coronavirus,SARS-CoV-2 has to counteract an intricate network of antiviral host responses to establish infection and spread.The nucleic acid-induced stress response is an essential component of antiviral defense and is closely related to antiviral innate immunity.However,whether SARS-CoV-2 regulates the stress response pathway to achieve immune evasion remains elusive.In this study,SARS-CoV-2 NSP5 and N protein were found to attenuate antiviral stress granule(avSG)formation.Moreover,NSP5 and N suppressed IFN expression induced by infection of Sendai virus or transfection of a synthetic mimic of dsRNA,poly(I:C),inhibiting TBK1 and IRF3 phosphorylation,and restraining the nuclear translocalization of IRF3.Furthermore,HEK293T cells with ectopic expression of NSP5 or N protein were less resistant to vesicular stomatitis virus infection.Mechanistically,NSP5 suppressed avSG formation and disrupted RIG-I–MAVS complex to attenuate the RIG-I–mediated antiviral immunity.In contrast to the multiple targets of NSP5,the N protein specifically targeted cofactors upstream of RIG-I.The N protein interacted with G3BP1 to prevent avSG formation and to keep the cofactors G3BP1 and PACT from activating RIG-I.Additionally,the N protein also affected the recognition of dsRNA by RIG-I.This study revealed the intimate correlation between SARS-CoV-2,the stress response,and innate antiviral immunity,shedding light on the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19.