Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by interferon requires proteasome activity

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is inhibited in a noncytopathic manner by alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) and IFN-gamma. We demonstrate here that inhibitors of cellular proteasome activity can block this antiviral effect. These results suggest that a critical component of the IFN-induced antiviral response may be the proteasome-dependent degradation of viral or cellular proteins that are required for HBV replication.