LAUSR

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is currently the most formidable challenge to humankind. Understanding the complicated virus‐host interplay is crucial for fighting against viral infection. A growing number of studies point to the critical roles of RING (really interesting new gene) finger (RNF) proteins during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. RNF proteins exert direct antiviral activity by targeting genome and envelope glycoproteins of SARS‐CoV‐2. Additionally, some RNF members serve as potent regulators for antiviral innate immunity and antibody‐dependent neutralization of SARS‐CoV‐2. Notably, SARS‐CoV‐2 also hijacks the RNF proteins‐mediated ubiquitination process to evade host antiviral innate immunity and enhance viral replication. In this mini‐review, we discuss the diverse antiviral mechanisms of RNF proteins and viral immune evasion in an RNF proteins‐dependent manner. Understanding the crosstalk between RNF proteins and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection would help design potential novel targets for COVID‐19 treatment.