ZAP: Antiviral protein which inhibits the replication of viruses by recruiting the cellular RNA degradation machineries to degrade the viral mRNAs. Binds to a ZAP-responsive element (ZRE) present in the target viral mRNA, recruits cellular poly(A)- specific ribonuclease PARN to remove the poly(A) tail, and the 3'- 5' exoribonuclease complex exosome to degrade the RNA body from the 3'-end. It also recruits the decapping complex DCP1-DCP2 through RNA helicase p72 (DDX17) to remove the cap structure of the viral mRNA to initiate its degradation from the 5'-end. Its target viruses belong to families which include retroviridae: human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), moloney and murine leukemia virus (MoMLV) and xenotropic MuLV-related virus (XMRV), filoviridae: ebola virus (EBOV) and marburg virus (MARV), togaviridae: sindbis virus (SINV) and Ross river virus (RRV). Specifically targets the multiply spliced but not unspliced or singly spliced HIV-1 mRNAs for degradation. Isoform 1 is a more potent viral inhibitor than isoform 2. Isoform 2 acts as a positive regulator of DDX58/RIG-I signaling resulting in activation of the downstream effector IRF3 leading to the expression of type I IFNs and IFN stimulated genes (ISGs). 5 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.
Protein type: Transferase; RNA-binding
Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 7q34
Cellular Component: Golgi apparatus; cytoplasm; nucleus
Molecular Function: protein binding; metal ion binding; NAD+ ADP-ribosyltransferase activity
Biological Process: positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; negative regulation of viral genome replication; metabolic process; response to virus; positive regulation of interferon-beta production; innate immune response; defense response to virus; positive regulation of interferon-alpha production
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