Both M35 and its HCMV homolog UL35 are packaged into the virus particles as part of the tegument and therefore enter the host cell directly during infection, and both inhibit type I IFN signaling downstream of cGAS, as well as of the RNA sensor retinoid acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), but upstream of IFNAR signaling (54, 56, 57). This evidence concerns the gene IFNAR1 and infection.