Suppression of type I and type II interferon production and signalling by Epstein-Barr virus BGLF2 protein: abridged secondary publication.

1. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has to circumvent the production and action of interferons (IFNs) in order to replicate and maintain a high copy number of its DNA genome in infected cells. 2. EBV effectively suppresses induction of IFNstimulated genes. 3. BGLF2 tegument protein is a potent suppressor of JAK-STAT signalling. 4. BGLF2 recruits SHP1 phosphatase to STAT1 and targets STAT2 for degradation. 5. BGLF2-defective EBV activates IFN signalling more robustly. 6. Our findings have important implications in understanding EBV-associated diseases and developing antivirals or vaccines.