Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes
Published on: February 9, 2009
Structure and assembly of the influenza A virus ribonucleoprotein complex
1Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, MS140, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
Abstract:
The genome of influenza A viruses consists of eight segments of single-stranded, negative-sense RNA that are encapsidated as individual rod-shaped ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). Each RNP contains a viral RNA, a viral polymerase and multiple copies of the viral nucleoprotein (NP). Influenza A virus RNPs play important roles during virus infection by directing viral RNA replication and transcription, intracellular transport of the viral RNA, gene reassortment as well as viral genome packaging into progeny particles. As a unique genomic entity, the influenza A virus RNP has been extensively studied since the 1960s. Recently, exciting progress has been made in studying the RNP structure and its assembly, leading to a better understanding of the structural basis of various RNP functions.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Influenza
Viral Structure
Leaky Scanning
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...

