a, Ribbon representation of the crystal structure of the SCoV2 PLpro: ISG15 complex (PDB: 6YVA). Key residues that mediate ‘site 1’ interaction (N156 and R166/E167) or ‘site 2’ interaction (F69) in PLpro, as well as its catalytically-active site (C111), are indicated. b, ISGylation of GST-MDA5–2CARD in HEK293T cells that were co-transfected for 20 h with vector or V5-tagged SCoV2 PLpro WT or mutants, along with FLAG-ISG15, HA-Ube1L, and FLAG-UbcH8, determined by GST-PD and IB with anti-FLAG and anti-GST. WCLs were probed by IB with anti-V5, anti-HA, anti-FLAG, and anti-Actin. (c) Binding of HA-tagged MDA5 or RIG-I to V5-SCoV2-PLpro or FLAG-MeV-V (positive control) in transiently transfected HEK293T cells, determined by HA-PD and IB with anti-V5 or anti-FLAG, and anti-HA. WCLs were probed by IB with anti-V5 and anti-FLAG. d, Oligomerization of FLAG-MDA5–2CARD in HEK293T cells that were co-transfected with vector, or V5-SCoV2 PLpro WT or C111A for 24 h, assessed by Native PAGE and IB with anti-FLAG. WCLs were further analyzed by SDS-PAGE and probed by IB with anti-FLAG, anti-V5 and anti-Actin. e, ISGylation of GST-MDA5–2CARD in HEK293T cells that also expressed FLAG-ISG15, HA-Ube1L and FLAG-UbcH8, and were co-transfected for 40 h with vector or the indicated V5-tagged coronaviral PLpro, determined by GST-PD and IB with anti-FLAG, anti-V5, and anti-GST. Data are representative of at least two independent experiments with similar results.