Ebola virus VP35 antagonizes PKR activity through its C-terminal interferon inhibitory domain.
Ebola virus VP35 contains a C-terminal cluster of basic amino acids required for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding and inhibition of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). VP35 also blocks protein kinase R (PKR) activation; however, the responsible domain has remained undefined. Here we show that the IRF inhibitory domain of VP35 mediates the inhibition of PKR and enhances the synthesis of coexpressed proteins. In contrast to dsRNA binding and IRF inhibition, alanine substitutions of at least two basic amino acids are required to abrogate PKR inhibition and enhanced protein expression. Moreover, we show that PKR activation is not only blocked but reversed by Ebola virus infection.
Schümann
Michael
M
Department of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
Gantke
Thorsten
T
Mühlberger
Elke
E
D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019892:eIF-2 Kinase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C084818:nucleoprotein VP35, Ebola virus; D007372:Interferons; D019892:eIF-2 Kinase