The regulation of innate antiviral immunity by TRIM56

Abstract A member of the tripartite-motif (TRIM) protein family of E3 ligases, TRIM56 has increasingly been recognized as a versatile player in innate antiviral immunity that operates via catalytically-dependent and catalytically-independent mechanisms. Herein, we provide a concise overview of the various roles that TRIM56 has been demonstrated to play in host interactions with viruses, including its “direct” virus-restricting activities and “indirect” antiviral effects resulting from its positive regulation of innate immune signaling. In addition, we discuss the current understanding of the molecular determinants and underlying biology by which TRIM56 functions in these processes.