Adeno-associated viruses can induce phosphorylation of eIF2α via PKR activation, which can be overcome by helper adenovirus type 5 virus-associated RNA

Mutants of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) virus -associated RNA I deficient in inhibiting the activation and subsequent phosphorylation of protein kinase R (PKR) could neither function as helpers for adeno-associated virus type 5 (AAV5) replication nor enhance AAV5 protein accumulation in either the presence or absence of Ad5 E4Orf6 and E2a. Furthermore, a short region of the AAV5 capsid gene RNA leader sequence surrounding the AUG of VP1 could induce the phosphorylation of eIF2 alpha. Both short interfering RNA directed against PKR and the addition of the herpes simplex virus ICP34.5 protein enhanced the accumulation of AAV5 capsid protein in the presence of the AAV5 capsid gene PKR-inducing element, suggesting that VA RNA acted to overcome direct AAV5-induced activation of PKR that led to the phosphorylation of eIF2 alpha. The expression of both the closely related goat-derived AAV and the prototype AAV2 capsid gene transcription units also induced the phosphorylation of eIF2 alpha, suggesting that the induction of the PKR/eIF2 alpha cellular response may be a previously unrecognized general feature of at least the Dependovirus genus of the Parvovirinae.