To determine whether such poor efficiency in protein expression of IL-1α, IFN-λ2, and, particularly, of IFN-β by 2B4 cells, was a unique consequence of SARS-CoV infection, we performed a parallel analysis of the mRNA and protein expression profiles of those genes whose expressions were significantly activated in 2B4 cells upon infection with SARS-CoV or DHOV by comparing the expression levels of mRNA and protein of the targeted genes. The gene discussed is IFNB1; the disease is severe acute respiratory syndrome.