The role of F-box proteins during viral infection

Abstract

The F-box domain is a protein structural motif of about 50 amino acids that mediates protein-protein interactions. The F-box protein is one of the four components of the SCF (SKp1, Cullin, F-box protein) complex, which mediates ubiquitination of proteins targeted for degradation by the proteasome, playing an essential role in many cellular processes. Several discoveries have been made on the use of the ubiquitin-proteasome system by viruses of several families to complete their infection cycle. On the other hand, F-box proteins can be used in the defense response by the host. This review describes the role of F-box proteins and the use of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in virus-host interactions. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.