The host protein CLUH participates in the subnuclear transport of influenza virus ribonucleoprotein complexes.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19107
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Virology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Ando Tomomi 東京大学, 医科学研究所, 特任研究員 (80734227)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: インフルエンザウイルス / vRNP / 核内局在 / 宿主因子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Influenza viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) is replicated in the nucleus and then exported to the cytoplasm. However, the precise subnuclear localization and transport of vRNPs remain unclear. We found that CLUH (clustered mitochondria protein homolog) plays a key role in the subnuclear transport of vRNP. Viral PB2 and M1 induced CLUH translocation to the nucleoplasm and SC35-positive speckles, respectively, even though CLUH is usually cytoplasmic. CLUH depletion inhibited the translocation of M1 to SC35-positive speckles, but did not interfere with PB2 localization to the nucleoplasm and disrupted the subnuclear transport of vRNP, abolishing vRNP nuclear export without affecting viral RNA or protein expression. Our findings suggest that CLUH plays a role in the subnuclear transport of progeny vRNP.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学