Identification of five interferon-induced cellular proteins that inhibit west nile virus and dengue virus infections

J Virol. 2010 Aug;84(16):8332-41. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02199-09. Epub 2010 Jun 9.

Abstract

Interferons (IFNs) are key mediators of the host innate antiviral immune response. To identify IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) that instigate an antiviral state against two medically important flaviviruses, West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue virus (DENV), we tested 36 ISGs that are commonly induced by IFN-alpha for antiviral activity against the two viruses. We discovered that five ISGs efficiently suppressed WNV and/or DENV infection when they were individually expressed in HEK293 cells. Mechanistic analyses revealed that two structurally related cell plasma membrane proteins, IFITM2 and IFITM3, disrupted early steps (entry and/or uncoating) of the viral infection. In contrast, three IFN-induced cellular enzymes, viperin, ISG20, and double-stranded-RNA-activated protein kinase, inhibited steps in viral proteins and/or RNA biosynthesis. Our results thus imply that the antiviral activity of IFN-alpha is collectively mediated by a panel of ISGs that disrupt multiple steps of the DENV and WNV life cycles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Dengue Virus / immunology*
  • Exonucleases / biosynthesis
  • Exonucleases / immunology
  • Exoribonucleases
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / immunology*
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • Proteins / immunology*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / immunology*
  • Virus Internalization
  • Virus Replication / immunology
  • West Nile virus / immunology*
  • eIF-2 Kinase / biosynthesis
  • eIF-2 Kinase / immunology

Substances

  • IFITM2 protein, human
  • IFITM3 protein, human
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • RSAD2 protein, human
  • eIF-2 Kinase
  • Exonucleases
  • Exoribonucleases
  • ISG20 protein, human