Analysis of specific interactions among influenza A virus genomic RNAs

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22529
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 49:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• 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)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: インフルエンザウイルス / ゲノムパッケージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Influenza A virus genome consists of eight-segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense viral RNAs (vRNAs). It has been shown that the eight vRNAs are selectively packaged into progeny virions through segment-specific packaging signals that are located in both the terminal coding regions and adjacent noncoding regions of each vRNA. However, the contributions of the packaging signals to the intersegment interactions are not understood. Here, using synthesized vRNAs containing the packaging signal sequences, we performed in vitro RNA binding assays and identified 15 intersegment interactions among eight vRNAs, most of which were mediated by the 3'- and 5'-terminal regions. Interestingly, all eight vRNAs interacted with multiple other vRNAs, in that some bound to different vRNAs through their respective 3'- and 5'-terminal regions. Our findings would be of use in future studies of in vivo vRNA-vRNA interactions during selective genome packaging.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、インフルエンザウイルスの8種類のゲノムRNAの間にパッケージングシグナルを介したRNA-RNA相互作用が存在することを明らかにした。本相互作用は選択的ゲノムパッケージングにおいて重要な役割を果たすと考えれらることから、新たな抗インフルエンザ薬の標的となると考えられる。