# Cellular RNA-binding Zinc Finger Proteins in Viral Infection: Understanding the Rules of Engagement

> **NIH NIH F32** · ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $65,994

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) are the causative pathogens of on-going pandemics. Understanding host-virus
interactions is essential to combatting these viruses. Proteomic approaches have identified host proteins that
target viral proteins; however, we lack information regarding host factors that target viral RNA (ZAP) or regulate
host RNAs (TTP, MCPIP1, and Roquin-1) during infection. Interestingly, the short list of known RNA-binding
effectors shares a common CCCH-type zinc finger (ZnF) motif.
 Unlike other cellular ZnF proteins, most CCCH-type ZnF proteins bind RNA rather than DNA and account
for nearly 40% of all RNA-binding ZnF proteins. Furthermore, many of these proteins have poorly annotated
functions. I propose that unidentified CCCH ZnF proteins regulate host and viral RNAs during infection.
 Through systematic siRNA screening, I will identify CCCH-ZnF proteins that modulate the replication of
two clinically relevant viruses: human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human coronavirus OC43
(HCoV-OC43). I have already identified exciting CCCH-ZnF proteins that have significant beneficial or
deleterious effects on HIV-1 and HCoV-OC43 replication. While unique hits were identified for each virus, seven
CCCH-ZnF proteins are shared hits in both HIV-1 and HCoV-OC43 screens, suggesting that some of these
factors may be broadly antiviral. The proposed research seeks to understand the requirement for RNA-binding
by ZnF motif(s) in these host-virus interactions and will use transcriptomics, proteomics, and microscopy
approaches to elucidate detailed mechanisms of action.
 Preliminary results justify this rapid and robust screening method for identification of CCCH-ZnF (and
other ZnF-type) factors involved in replication of diverse virus families. Furthermore, I will establish an efficient,
streamlined workflow to determine the most promising hits for mechanistic exploration. My work will uncover
novel host factors networks that are involved in virus replication and assign molecular functions to cellular CCCH
ZnF proteins.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10230687
- **Project number:** 1F32AI160904-01
- **Recipient organization:** ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer Bohn
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $65,994
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10230687

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10230687, Cellular RNA-binding Zinc Finger Proteins in Viral Infection: Understanding the Rules of Engagement (1F32AI160904-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10230687. Licensed CC0.

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