Porcine bocavirus NP1 protein suppresses type I IFN production by interfering with IRF3 DNA-binding activity

In this study, we found that the nonstructural protein NP1 of PBoV inhibitsSendai virus-induced IFN- β production and the subsequent expression of IFN-stimulating genes (ISGs). Ectopic expression of NP1 significantly impairs IRF3-mediated IFN-β production; however, it does not affect the expression, phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation of IRF3, the most important transcription factor for IF N synthesis. Coimmunoprecipitation and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggested that NP1 interacts with the DNA-binding domain of IRF3, which in turn blocks the association of IRF3 with IFN-β promoter. Together, our findings demonstrated that PBoV encodes an antagonist inhibiting type I IFN p roduction, providing a better understanding of the PBoV immune evasion strategy.
Source: Virus Genes - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research