HSV-2 infection specifically affects STAT2 protein levels in early phase-inhibited (A) but not late phase-inhibited (C) 293α/β cells. HSV-2 infected 293A cells were analyzed by western blot for levels of STAT1, STAT2, IRF9, HSV gB and actin expression at 0, 4, 8, and 16 hpi. (B) In early phase-inhibited 293A cells, abrogation of HSV-2 DNA replication by PAA does not affect HSV-2-mediated loss of STAT2 expression. The same results were observed with acyclovir treatment (data not shown). (C) In late phase-inhibited 293α/β cells, STAT2 protein levels are unaffected by HSV-2 infection.