Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Interferon Requires Proteasome Activity†

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is inhibited in a noncytopathic manner by alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) and IFN-γ. We demonstrate here that inhibitors of cellular proteasome activity can block this antiviral effect. These results suggest that a critical component of the IFN-induced antiviral response may be the proteasome-dependent degradation of viral or cellular proteins that are required for HBV replication.