The antiviral protein Viperin suppresses T7 promoter dependent RNA synthesis-possible implications for its antiviral activity

Anna Dukhovny, Amir Shlomai, Ella H. Sklan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Viperin is a multifunctional interferon-inducible broad-spectrum antiviral protein. Viperin belongs to the S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) superfamily of enzymes known to catalyze a wide variety of radical-mediated reactions. However, the exact mechanism by which viperin exerts its functions is still unclear. Interestingly, for many RNA viruses viperin was shown to inhibit viral RNA accumulation by interacting with different viral non-structural proteins. Here, we show that viperin inhibits RNA synthesis by bacteriophage T7 polymerase in mammalian cells. This inhibition is specific and occurs at the RNA level. Viperin expression significantly reduced T7-mediated cytoplasmic RNA levels. The data showing that viperin inhibits the bacteriophage T7 polymerase supports the conservation of viperin's antiviral activity between species. These results highlight the possibility that viperin might utilize a broader mechanism of inhibition. Accordingly, our results suggest a novel mechanism involving polymerase inhibition and provides a tractable system for future mechanistic studies of viperin.

Original languageEnglish
Article number8100
JournalScientific Reports
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The antiviral protein Viperin suppresses T7 promoter dependent RNA synthesis-possible implications for its antiviral activity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this