Human influenza virus NS1 protein enhances viral pathogenicity and acts as an RNA silencing suppressor in plants.
RNA silencing has a well-established function as an antiviral defence mechanism in plants and insects. Using an Agrobacterium-mediated transient assay, we report here that NS1 protein from human influenza A virus suppresses RNA silencing in plants in a manner similar to P1/HC-Pro protein of Tobacco etch potyvirus, a well-characterized plant virus silencing suppressor. Moreover, we have shown that NS1 protein expression strongly enhances the symptoms of Potato virus X in three different plant hosts, suggesting that NS1 protein could be inhibiting defence mechanisms activated in the plant on infection. These data provide further evidence that an RNA silencing pathway could also be activated as a defence response in mammals.
Delgadillo
M Otilia
MO
Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Sáenz
Pilar
P
Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Salvador
Beatriz
B
Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
García
Juan Antonio
JA
Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Simón-Mateo
Carmen
C
Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D017863:Potexvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014774:Virulence
D004279:DNA, Viral; C085820:INS1 protein, influenza virus; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins