Hong Kong Med J 2023;29(Suppl 1):S39-41
Suppression of type I and type II interferon production and signalling by Epstein-Barr virus BGLF2 protein: abridged secondary publication
DY Jin1, KS Yuen1, MG Botelho2
1 School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
2 Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
 
 
  1. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has to circumvent the production and action of interferons (IFNs) in order to replicate and maintain a high copy number of its DNA genome in infected cells.
  2. EBV effectively suppresses induction of IFN-stimulated genes.
  3. BGLF2 tegument protein is a potent suppressor of JAK-STAT signalling.
  4. BGLF2 recruits SHP1 phosphatase to STAT1 and targets STAT2 for degradation.
  5. BGLF2-defective EBV activates IFN signalling more robustly.
  6. Our findings have important implications in understanding EBV-associated diseases and developing antivirals or vaccines.