Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) contains a genome with eight single-stranded, negative-sense RNA segments that encode 17 proteins. During its assembly, all eight separate viral RNA (vRNA) segments are incorporated into virions in a selective manner. Evidence suggested that the highly selective genome packaging mechanism relies on RNA-RNA or protein-RNA interactions. The specific structures of each vRNA that contribute to mediating the packaging of the vRNA into virions have been described and identified as packaging signals. Abundant research indicated that sequences required for genome incorporation are not series and are varied among virus genotypes. The packaging signals play important roles in determining the virus replication, genome incorporation and genetic reassortment of influenza A virus. In this review, we discuss recent studies on influenza A virus packaging signals to provide an overview of their characteristics and functions.
Highlights
Influenza virus is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family and comes in four types, A, B, C and D [1–3]
The genome of influenza A virus (IAV) consists of eight singlestranded, negative-sense RNAs that are associated with multiple copies of nucleoprotein and three viral RNA polymerase subunits to form the viral ribonucleoprotein complexes [4, 5]
Su et al found that destroying the ubiquitination in M2 of IAV resulted in the production of defective virion particles that lacked viral ribonucleocapsids (vRNPs) [22]. These results suggested that the mechanism of influenza virus genome-packaging is flexible and the vRNP number that incorporated by influenza virions is variable [21, 23]
Summary
Influenza virus is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family and comes in four types, A, B, C and D [1–3]. Recent studies found that specific sequences within the internal coding regions play important roles in the genome packaging of influenza A virus (Fig. 3). Packaging signals of the PB2, PB1, and PA genes Both end coding regions of the WSN PB1 and PA genes are required for genome incorporation and virion formation [35].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
