Structural analysis of influenza virus ribonucleoprotein complexes by cryoelectron microscopy

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14853
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Noda Takeshi 京都大学, ウイルス・再生医科学研究所, 教授 (00422410)
• Research Collaborator: Sugita Yukihiko 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 博士研究員 ; Wolf Matthias 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 准教授
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: インフルエンザウイルス / 転写・複製 / クライオ電子顕微鏡

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Each segment of influenza A virus genome (vRNA) forms a helical ribonuceoprotein complex (RNP) together with viral nucleoproteins and a polymerase. The helical RNP is responsible for transcription and replication of the vRNA, but its structure in the course of vRNA synthesis remains unknown. Here, to visualize RNP structure during transcription and replication, we examined in vitro-transcribed RNPs that were purified from influenza A virions by using cryoelectron microscopy. Control RNPs showed helical structures as reported previously. In contrast, in vitro-transcribed RNPs showed deformed structures associating with a synthesized RNA. These results suggest that RNPs would cause conformational changes during RNA synthesis.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学