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 R...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2004
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| Summary: | 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. |
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