Poly(A)-binding protein (PABP): a common viral target

Cytoplasmic PABP [poly(A)-binding protein] is a multifunctional protein with well-studied roles ill mRNA translation and stability. Ill the present review, we examine recent evidence that the activity of PABP is altered during infection with it wide range of viruses, bringing about changes ill its stability, complex formation and intracellular localization. Targeting of PABP by both RNA and DNA viruses highlights the role of PABP as a central regulator of gene expression.