Model suggesting that replication of influenza virus is regulated by stabilization of replicative intermediates.
The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of influenza A virus is responsible for both transcription and replication of negative-sense viral RNA. It is thought that a "switching" mechanism regulates the transition between these activities. We demonstrate that, in the presence of preexisting viral RNA polymerase and nucleoprotein (NP), influenza A virus synthesizes both mRNA (transcription) and cRNA (replication) early in infection. We suggest that there may be no switch regulating the initiation of RNA synthesis and present a model suggesting that nascent cRNA is degraded by host cell nucleases unless it is stabilized by newly synthesized viral RNA polymerase and NP.
Vreede
Frank T
FT
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Jung
Tanis E
TE
Brownlee
George G
GG
D002460:Cell Line; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008954:Models, Biological; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D020871:RNA Stability; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology*
C048842:NP protein, Influenza A virus; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; C077346:influenza virus polymerase basic protein 1; D003513:Cycloheximide; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases