A viral mechanism for inhibition of the cellular phosphatase calcineurin.

Miskin, J E; Abrams, C C; Goatley, L C; Dixon, L K · Science · 1998

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) controls the expression of many immunomodulatory proteins. African swine fever virus inhibits proinflammatory cytokine expression in infected macrophages, and a viral protein A238L was found to display the activity of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A by inhibiting NFAT-regulated gene transcription in vivo. This it does by binding the catalytic subunit of calcineurin and inhibiting calcineurin phosphatase activity.

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