Influenza NS1 interacts with p53 and alters its binding to p53-responsive genes, in a promoter-dependent manner

The interplay between influenza A viruses (IAV) and p53 has only been reported in a limited number of studies, mainly focusing on the antiviral role of p53. We investigated the impact of IAV infection on p53 stability and transcriptional activity. Our results indicate that IAV-induced stabilization of p53 only partially correlates with modulation of p53 transcriptional activity measured during infection. Moreover, we show that the viral non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is able to inhibit p53 transcriptional activity, in a promoter-dependent manner. Based on these data, we propose that NS1 may contribute to p53-mediated cell fate decision during IAV infection. Structured summary of protein interactions: p53 physically interacts with NS1 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) (C) 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.