Interaction of Bunyamwera Orthobunyavirus NSs protein with mediator protein MED8: a mechanism for inhibiting the interferon response

Léonard, V.H.J., Kohl, A. , Hart, T.J. and Elliott, R.M. (2006) Interaction of Bunyamwera Orthobunyavirus NSs protein with mediator protein MED8: a mechanism for inhibiting the interferon response. Journal of Virology, 80(19), pp. 9667-9675. (doi: 10.1128/JVI.00822-06)

Abstract

The NSs protein of Bunyamwera virus (Bunyaviridae) is an antiapoptotic interferon antagonist involved in silencing host protein expression by interfering with mRNA synthesis. Here, we show that the ability to inhibit both host transcription and the interferon response is linked to interaction of NSs with the MED8 component of Mediator, a protein complex necessary for mRNA production. The interacting domain on NSs was mapped to the C-terminal region, which contains amino acids conserved among orthobunyavirus NSs proteins. A recombinant virus in which the interacting domain in NSs was deleted had strongly reduced ability to inhibit host protein expression and was unable to inhibit the interferon response. This study provides further information on the mechanisms by which bunyavirus nonstructural proteins are involved in pathogenesis.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Elliott, Professor Richard and Kohl, Professor Alain
• Authors: Léonard, V.H.J., Kohl, A., Hart, T.J., and Elliott, R.M.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Journal of Virology
• Journal Abbr.: J. Virol.
• ISSN: 0022-538X
• ISSN (Online): 1098-5514