The rabies virus interferon antagonist P protein interacts with activated STAT3 and inhibits Gp130 receptor signaling

J Virol. 2013 Jul;87(14):8261-5. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00989-13. Epub 2013 May 22.

Abstract

Immune evasion by rabies virus depends on targeting of the signal transducers and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT2 proteins by the viral interferon antagonist P protein, but targeting of other STAT proteins has not been investigated. Here, we find that P protein associates with activated STAT3 and inhibits STAT3 nuclear accumulation and Gp130-dependent signaling. This is the first report of STAT3 targeting by the interferon antagonist of a virus other than a paramyxovirus, indicating that STAT3 antagonism is important to a range of human-pathogenic viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytokine Receptor gp130 / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Immune Evasion / genetics*
  • Interferons / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Luciferases
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / pharmacology*
  • Rabies virus / genetics*
  • Rabies virus / metabolism
  • Red Fluorescent Protein
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Viral Structural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Structural Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Structural Proteins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • P phosphoprotein, Rabies virus
  • Phosphoproteins
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Viral Structural Proteins
  • Cytokine Receptor gp130
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Interferons
  • Luciferases