Viral evasion of PKR restriction by reprogramming cellular stress granules

Protein kinase R (PKR) is a critical host restriction factor against invading viral pathogens. However, this molecule is inactivated in the cells infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), an economically devastating pathogen to the world swine industry. Here, we report that this event is to suppress cellular inflammation and is mediated by the viral replicase protein nsp1β. We show that nsp1β is a stress-responsive protein, enters virus-induced stress granules (SGs) during infection, and repurposes SGs into a proviral platform, where it co-opts the SG core component G3BP1 to interact with PKR in a regulated manner. RNA interference silencing of G3BP1 or mutation of specific nsp1β residues (VS19GG) can abolish the antagonization of PKR activation. The viral mutant carrying the corresponding mutations induces elevated level of PKR phosphorylation and pronounced production of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8), whereas small-interfering RNA knockdown of PKR or treatment with C16, a PKR inhibitor, blocks this effect. Thus, PRRSV has evolved a unique strategy to evade PKR restriction to suppress host inflammatory responses.