Influenza C virus NS1 protein counteracts RIG-I-mediated IFN signalling

Virol J. 2011 Feb 2:8:48. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-48.

Abstract

The nonstructural proteins 1 (NS1) from influenza A and B viruses are known as the main viral factors antagonising the cellular interferon (IFN) response, inter alia by inhibiting the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signalling. The cytosolic pattern-recognition receptor RIG-I senses double-stranded RNA and 5'-triphosphate RNA produced during RNA virus infections. Binding to these ligands activates RIG-I and in turn the IFN signalling. We now report that the influenza C virus NS1 protein also inhibits the RIG-I-mediated IFN signalling. Employing luciferase-reporter assays, we show that expression of NS1-C proteins of virus strains C/JJ/50 and C/JHB/1/66 considerably reduced the IFN-β promoter activity. Mapping of the regions from NS1-C of both strains involved in IFN-β promoter inhibition showed that the N-terminal 49 amino acids are dispensable, while the C-terminus is required for proper modulation of the IFN response. When a mutant RIG-I, which is constitutively active without ligand binding, was employed, NS1-C still inhibited the downstream signalling, indicating that IFN inhibitory properties of NS1-C are not necessarily linked to an RNA binding mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay
  • Cell Line
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Gammainfluenzavirus / immunology
  • Gammainfluenzavirus / pathogenicity*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Humans
  • Immune Evasion*
  • Interferon-beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Interferon-beta / biosynthesis
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • INS1 protein, influenza virus
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Virulence Factors
  • Interferon-beta
  • Luciferases
  • RIGI protein, human
  • DEAD Box Protein 58
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases