Functional analysis of the short isoform of orf virus protein OV20.0

Yeu Yang Tseng, Fong Yuan Lin, Sun Fang Cheng, David Tscharke, Songkhla Chulakasian, Chia Chi Chou, Ya Fen Liu, Wei Shan Chang, Min Liang Wong, Wei Li Hsu*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Orf virus (ORFV) OV20.0L is an ortholog of vaccinia virus (VACV) gene E3L. The function of VACV E3 protein as a virulence factor is well studied, but OV20.0 has received less attention. Here we show that like VACV E3L, OV20.0L encodes two proteins, a full-length protein and a shorter form (sh20). The shorter sh20 is an N-terminally truncated OV20.0 isoform generated when a downstream AUG codon is used for initiating translation. These isoforms differed in cellular localization, with full-length OV20.0 and sh20 found throughout the cell and predominantly in the cytoplasm, respectively. Nonetheless, both OV20.0 isoforms were able to bind double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR) and dsRNA. Moreover, both isoforms strongly inhibited PKR activation as shown by decreased phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α subunit and protection of Sindbis virus infection against the activity of interferon (IFN). In spite of this apparent conservation of function in vitro, a recombinant ORFV that was able to express only the sh20 isoform was attenuated in a mouse model.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4966-4979
    Number of pages14
    JournalJournal of Virology
    Volume89
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Functional analysis of the short isoform of orf virus protein OV20.0'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this