Promotes efficient viral genome replication by accelerating both G1 and S phase progression of the cell cycle. Inhibits host PP2A by binding to the A subunit, thereby displacing lower affinity regulatory B subunit. Inactivation of PP2A in turn results in the transactivation of cyclin A and cyclin D1 promoters. Late during the infection cycle, ST may induce dephosphorylation of host eIF4E-binding protein EIF4EBP1 leading to the inhibition of cap-dependent translation. May establish and maintain high levels of viral genomes during persistent infection in cell culture