The human interferon-induced MxA protein inhibits early stages of influenza A virus infection by retaining the incoming viral genome in the cytoplasm.
The induction of an interferon-induced antiviral state is a powerful cellular response against viral infection that limits viral spread. Here, we show that a preexisting antiviral state inhibits the replication of influenza A viruses in human A549 cells by preventing transport of the viral genome to the nucleus and that the interferon-induced MxA protein is necessary but not sufficient for this process. This represents a previously unreported antiviral function of MxA against influenza A virus infection.
Biomolecular Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, United Kingdom.
Han
H
Xiao
Marian J
MJ
Killip
Peter
P
Staeheli
Richard E
RE
Randall
David
D
Jackson
D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016898:Interferon-alpha; C579071:MX1 protein, human; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins