Ubiquitination is an evolutionarily conserved post-translational modification in eukaryotes that regulates many cellular processes, including proteasomal protein degradation, DNA repair, protein/vesicular trafficking, and the cell cycle. It is also associated with the recognition and restriction of numerous intracellular infections in mammalian cells. Host cells decorate the diverse cytosolic niches of pathogens with mono- or polyubiquitin, a process that correlates with their restriction and clearance in certain cell types. RNF213 is a 591 kDa E3 ubiquitin ligase that has recently been shown to directly ubiquitinate various intracellular pathogens in human cells. Here, we review recent progress regarding the role of RNF213 in pathogen-associated ubiquitination and its downstream effector functions linked to other cell-autonomous innate immunity processes.



