IFN alpha inducible protein 27 (IFI27) acts as a positive regulator of PACT-dependent PKR activation after RNA virus infections

Protein kinase R (PKR) expression is induced by interferons. This protein is activated by double-stranded (ds) RNAs or RNAs containing duplex regions, produced after different stimuli, such as after viral infections, leading to the phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), and subsequently inhibiting cellular and viral protein translation. This function may lead to different effects such as to impairing the replication of RNA viruses by inhibiting viral protein translation, and to modulating the innate immune responses after viral infections by affecting the translation of effector proteins. In this work, we identify, for the first time, an interaction of IFN alpha inducible protein 27 (IFI27) with PKR-activating protein (PACT or PRKRA) and with PKR, showing that the interaction of IFI27 with PACT is likely mediated by dsRNAs or RNAs containing duplex regions, and that the interaction of IFI27 with PKR is PACT-dependent. Interestingly, using IFI27 knocked-down, knocked-out and overexpressing tumour-derived, established cells, we show that these interactions trigger a potentiation of the activity of PKR and, therefore, a decrease in protein translation. Moreover, we find that IFI27 increases PKR function in cells infected with different RNA viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and Vesicular Stomatitis virus (VSV), and in cells transfected with the dsRNA analog poly(I:C), suggesting a broad effect of IFI27 on PKR activation. Moreover, we show that IFI27 expression increases the formation of stress granules (SGs) at the cell cytoplasm, correlating with the increased PKR activation mediated by IFI27, as it has been shown that the translational arrest induced by activated PKR leads to the formation of SGs. Mechanistically, we describe that this ability of IFI27 to activate PKR is dependent on its interaction with PACT. Further understanding of the regulation of PKR activity will allow us to develop new antiviral drugs to modulate this signalling axis, which is crucial in RNA virus infections.