PKR condensation at viral replication complexes initiates its activation

Protein kinase R (PKR) is a critical component of mammalian intracellular antiviral immunity. Here, we examine the process of PKR activation in response to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) using super-resolution confocal microscopy, proximity ligation assay, immunogold transmission electron microscopy, and live-cell imaging. Our data support that PKR activates upon condensation on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) exposed at membrane-associated viral replication complexes. Subsequently, p-PKR condensates disassociate from dsRNA and dissolve, releasing activated PKR molecules into the cytosol, where they phosphorylate eIF2α to initiate the integrated stress response (ISR). Importantly, the disassociation of p-PKR from dsRNA allows for the exchange of inactive PKR monomers, thus promoting robust PKR activation from limited exposed viral dsRNA substrates. MERS-CoV NS4a prevents PKR activation via competitive condensation on viral dsRNA. These findings establish a comprehensive model for PKR activation in response to positive-strand RNA viruses that replicate within membrane-associated complexes.