Host protein ABCE1 interacts with the viral phosphoprotein and promotes rabies virus replication

Rabies virus (RABV) phosphoprotein (P) plays an important role in disrupting host interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral immune response. ABCE1 is known as an RNase L inhibitor that negatively regulates the 2′,5′-oligoadenylate (2-5A)/RNase L antiviral system related to the IFN signaling pathway. In this study, we screened the host factors associated with RABV P protein, while focusing on ABCE1 because of its role in the life cycle of several viruses. Our results showed that knockout of ABCE1 in HEK293T cells inhibited RABV replication. In contrast, the overexpression of ABCE1 in HEK293T cells enhanced RABV replication. Notably, the co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that ABCE1 interacted with RABV P protein. Since ABCE1 and RABV P proteins are related to the IFN signaling pathway, we propose that the interaction of viral P protein with ABCE1 leads to the disruption of host antiviral immune response. In summary, our research showed that ABCE1 is an important host protein that interacts with viral P protein and regulates RABV replication. Moreover, the interaction between ABCE1 and RABV P protein may facilitate the viral P protein-mediated disruption of host antiviral immune response.