Serine-arginine protein kinase 1 regulates Ebola virus transcription

Abstract

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a severe and often fatal disease for which no approved vaccines or antivirals are currently available. EBOV transcription requires the sequential phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the viral transcription factor VP30. While dephosphorylation is carried out by phosphatases PP2A and PP1, the VP30-specific kinase is unknown. Here, we report that serine-arginine protein kinase 1 and 2 (SRPK1 and SRPK2) phosphorylate serine-29 of VP30, which is located in an N-terminal R26xxS29 motif. Interaction with VP30 via the R26xxS29 motif recruits SRPK1 into EBOV-induced inclusion bodies, the sites of viral RNA synthesis and an inhibitor of SRPK1/SRPK2 downregulates primary viral transcription. When the SRPK1 recognition motif of VP30 was mutated in a recombinant EBOV, virus replication was severely impaired. It is presumed that the interplay between SRPK1 and PP2A in the EBOV inclusions provides a comprehensive regulatory circuit to ensure the activity of VP30 in EBOV transcription.