Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression inhibition by adenovirus E1A

Nitric oxide (NO) is an antiviral effector of the innate immune system. Viruses that can interfere with NO synthesis may be able to replicate more rapidly than viruses that cannot limit NO synthesis. We show that the adenovirus E1A protein inhibits NO production by decreasing expression of the inducible NO synthase (NOS2). The amino-terminal portion of E1A decreases transactivation of the NOS2 5′-flanking region, limiting the DNA binding activity of NF-κB and inhibiting NOS2 expression. E1A is thus able to deactivate a critical component of the host defense against viral infection. Viral inhibition of NO production is a mechanism that may enable certain viruses to evade the host innate immune system.