Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
08:32

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Published on: March 2, 2014

PML mediates the interferon-induced antiviral state against a complex retrovirus via its association with the viral

T Regad1, A Saib, V Lallemand-Breitenbach

  • 1CNRS UPR 9051, Hôpital St Louis, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France.

The EMBO Journal
|July 4, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein represses human foamy virus (HFV) gene expression by inhibiting viral transcription. Interferon (IFN) treatment inhibits HFV replication in PML-expressing cells, highlighting PML's antiviral role.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein localizes in the nucleus and forms nuclear bodies (NBs).
  • PML NB formation and intensity increase upon interferon (IFN) stimulation.
  • PML exhibits antiviral activity, though less potent than MxA against certain viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PML in the gene expression and replication of complex retroviruses, specifically human foamy virus (HFV).
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which PML affects HFV transcription.
  • To determine if PML mediates the antiviral state induced by IFN against HFV.

Main Methods:

  • Overexpression of PML, Mx1, and MxA in cells.
  • Analysis of human foamy virus (HFV) gene expression.
  • Assessment of viral DNA binding by the HFV transactivator, Tas.
  • Experimental use of wild-type and PML-/- cells.
  • Interferon (IFN) treatment of cells.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of PML, but not Mx1 or MxA, significantly decreased HFV gene expression.
  • PML represses HFV transcription by binding to the HFV transactivator, Tas, preventing its DNA binding.
  • This interaction requires the N-terminal region of Tas and the PML RING finger, independent of PML NB localization.
  • IFN treatment inhibited HFV replication in wild-type cells but not in PML-/- cells.

Conclusions:

  • PML plays a significant role in the transcriptional repression of complex retroviruses like HFV.
  • PML directly interacts with the HFV transactivator, Tas, to inhibit viral transcription.
  • PML is crucial for mediating an IFN-induced antiviral state against HFV, underscoring its importance in innate antiviral immunity.

More Related Videos

Monitoring Activation of the Antiviral Pattern Recognition Receptors RIG-I And PKR By Limited Protease Digestion and Native PAGE12:43

Monitoring Activation of the Antiviral Pattern Recognition Receptors RIG-I And PKR By Limited Protease Digestion and Native PAGE

Published on: July 29, 2014

A High Resolution Method to Monitor Phosphorylation-dependent Activation of IRF311:44

A High Resolution Method to Monitor Phosphorylation-dependent Activation of IRF3

Published on: January 24, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...