ATP-dependent one-dimensional movement maintains immune homeostasis by suppressing spontaneous MDA5 filament assembly.

Abstract

MDA5 is a RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) that recognizes viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to initiate the innate immune response. Its activation requires filament formation along the dsRNA, which triggers the oligomerization of N-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domains. The ATPase activity of MDA5 is critical for immune homeostasis, likely by regulating filament assembly. However, the molecular basis underlying this process remains poorly understood. Here, we show that MDA5 operates as an ATP-hydrolysis-driven motor that translocates along dsRNA in a one-dimensional (1D) manner. Multiple MDA5 motors can cooperatively load onto a single dsRNA, but their movements rarely synchronize, inhibiting spontaneous filament formation and activation. LGP2, a key regulator of MDA5 signaling, recognizes MDA5 motors and blocks their movement, thereby promoting filament assembly through a translocation-directed mechanism. This unique assembly strategy underscores the role of 1D motion in higher-order protein oligomerization and reveals a novel mechanism for maintaining immune homeostasis.