Published:
American Society for Microbiology, 2004
Published in:
Journal of Virology, 78 (2004) 20, Seite 11422-11424
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1128/jvi.78.20.11422-11424.2004
ISSN:
0022-538X;
1098-5514
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
ABSTRACT The Thogoto virus ML protein suppresses interferon synthesis in infected cells. Nevertheless, a virus mutant lacking ML remained highly pathogenic in standard laboratory mice. It was strongly attenuated, however, in mice carrying the interferon-responsive Mx1 gene found in wild mice, demonstrating that enhanced interferon synthesis is protective only if appropriate antiviral effector molecules are present. Our study shows that the virulence-enhancing effects of some viral interferon antagonists may escape detection in conventional animal models.