Major human cytomegalovirus structural protein pp65 (ppUL83) prevents interferon response factor 3 activation in the interferon response

DA Abate, S Watanabe, ES Mocarski - Journal of virology, 2004 - Am Soc Microbiol
DA Abate, S Watanabe, ES Mocarski
Journal of virology, 2004Am Soc Microbiol
We have identified a cytomegalovirus virion protein capable of modulating the rapid
induction of an interferon-like response in cells that follows virus binding and penetration.
Functional genomics revealed a role for the major cytomegalovirus structural protein, pp65
(ppUL83), in counteracting this response. The underlying mechanism involves a differential
impact of this structural protein on the regulation of interferon response factor 3 (IRF-3). In
contrast, NF-κB is activated independent of pp65, and neither STAT1 nor STAT3 becomes …
Abstract
We have identified a cytomegalovirus virion protein capable of modulating the rapid induction of an interferon-like response in cells that follows virus binding and penetration. Functional genomics revealed a role for the major cytomegalovirus structural protein, pp65 (ppUL83), in counteracting this response. The underlying mechanism involves a differential impact of this structural protein on the regulation of interferon response factor 3 (IRF-3). In contrast, NF-κB is activated independent of pp65, and neither STAT1 nor STAT3 becomes activated by either virus. pp65 is sufficient to prevent the activation of IRF-3 when introduced alone into cells. pp65 acts by inhibiting nuclear accumulation of IRF-3 and is associated with a reduced IRF-3 phosphorylation state. Thus, this investigation shows that the major structural protein of cytomegalovirus is committed to the modulation of the IRF-3 response, a primary mediator of the type I interferon response. By subverting IRF-3, the virus escapes throwing a central alarm devoted to both immediate antiviral control and regulation of the immune response.
American Society for Microbiology