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Only a few host cell proteins that associate with arenaviruses have been identified. To date, the arenavirus Z protein associates with the promyelocytic leukemia protein PML and the ribosomal P proteins. The majority of PML is present in nuclear bodies which are translocated to the cytoplasm by infection with the arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The Z protein is a small zinc-binding RING protein with an unknown function which is required for the viral life cycle. Here, we demonstrate an association between Z and the host cell translation factor, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF-4E) in infected and transfected cells. Z's association with both ribosomal proteins and this translation factor led us to investigate whether Z could modulate host cell translation. In cell culture, Z selectively represses protein production in an eIF-4E-dependent manner. Specifically, we see reduction in cyclin D1 protein production with no effect on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in cells transfected with Z. Previous reports indicate that cyclin D1 is sensitive to eIF-4E levels, whereas GAPDH is not. Consistent with this, we observe preferential downregulation of cyclin D1 during infection and no effect on GAPDH. Further, no changes in RNA levels were observed for cyclin D1 or GAPDH transcripts. The interaction between eIF-4E and Z may provide a mechanism for slower growth observed in infected cells and a viral strategy for establishing chronic infection.

The promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) forms nuclear bodies which are altered in some disease conditions. We report that the cytoplasmic RNA virus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) influences the distribution of PML bodies. In cells infected with LCMV, the Z protein and PML form large bodies primarily in the cytoplasm. Transient transfection studies indicate that Z alone is sufficient to redistribute PML to the cytoplasm and that PML and Z colocalize. Coimmunoprecipitation studies show specific interaction between PML and Z proteins. A similar result was observed with a Z protein from another arenavirus, Lassa virus, suggesting that this is a general feature of the Arenaviridae. Genetically engineered mutations in PML were used to show that the Z protein binds the N-terminal region of PML and does not need the PML RING or the nuclear localization signal to colocalize. The Z protein acts dominantly to overcome the diffuse phenotype observed in several PML mutants. The interaction between PML and Z may influence certain unique characteristics of arenavirus infection.