Comparative Loss-of-Function Screens Reveal ABCE1 as an Essential Cellular Host Factor for Efficient Translation of Paramyxoviridae and Pneumoviridae

The Paramyxoviridae and Pneumoviridae families include important human and animal pathogens. To identify common host factors, we performed genome-scale siRNA screens with wild-type-derived measles, mumps, and respiratory syncytial viruses in the same cell line. A comparative bioinformatics analysis yielded different members of the coatomer complex I, translation factors ABCE1 and eIF3A, and several RNA binding proteins as cellular proteins with proviral activity for all three viruses. A more detailed characterization of ABCE1 revealed its essential role for viral protein synthesis. Taken together, these data sets provide new insight into the interactions between paramyxoviruses and pneumoviruses and host cell proteins and constitute a starting point for the development of broadly effective antivirals.