The Ebolavirus VP24 protein blocks phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Type I interferon (IFN) signaling is mediated through several signaling pathways, including the Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator (JAK-STAT) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways. The VP24 protein of Ebolavirus is an IFN antagonist, blocking type I IFN signaling through the JAK-STAT pathway. Here, we show that, in 293 cells, VP24 also interferes with the p38 MAP kinase pathway by blocking IFN-β-stimulated phosphorylation of p38-α. Similar inhibition was not observed in HeLa cells, suggesting cell type-specific differences in signal transduction.