Viruses and RQC: a molecular arms race at the heart of translation

Viruses rely exclusively on host ribosomes for protein synthesis, but the translation of viral mRNA depletes host resources and imposes structural constraints that trigger translational stress. Translational stress activates cellular surveillance responses, including the ribosome-associated quality control (RQC), which safeguards translation fidelity by degrading aberrant translation products and mRNAs, with potential antiviral effects. Here, I review emerging evidence detailing the complex interplay between viral infections and the RQC, highlight its antiviral properties, and discuss how viruses have evolved RQC-reprogramming strategies to optimize viral protein production and evade immune detection. The evidence points to the RQC as a critical regulatory hub in host-pathogen dynamics. This insight may inform novel antiviral strategies targeting translational control mechanisms, offering potential new avenues to combat viral diseases.