Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
11:20
Affinity Purification of Influenza Virus Ribonucleoprotein Complexes from the Chromatin of Infected Cells
Published on: June 3, 2012
12.7K
Specific nucleoprotein residues affect influenza virus morphology
Kristy M Bialas1, Kendra A Bussey, Raychel L Stone
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
Journal of Virology
|December 17, 2013
Summary
Influenza virus matrix protein 1 (M1) and nucleoprotein (NP) interactions control virion shape. Specific M1-NP interactions, particularly involving NP residues 214, 217, and 253, are crucial for determining influenza virus morphology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Influenza virus pleomorphism, or varied virion shapes, is linked to matrix protein 1 (M1).
- The precise mechanism of M1's control over virion morphology and its interactions with other viral components remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of matrix protein 1 (M1) and nucleoprotein (NP) interactions in determining influenza virus morphology.
- To identify specific viral protein residues responsible for controlling virion shape.
Main Methods:
- Rescue of recombinant influenza viruses with chimeric M1 and NP proteins.
- Analysis of virion morphology using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy.
- Characterization of chimeric nucleoproteins (NP) to pinpoint key residues.
Main Results:
- Recombinant virus with Aichi M1 in a WSN backbone exhibited filamentous morphology, unlike the spherical Aichi virus.
- Incorporation of Aichi nucleoprotein (NP) into the WSN-AichiM1 virus abrogated filamentous formation, suggesting M1-NP interaction is key.
- Specific residues (214, 217, 253) in Aichi NP were identified as necessary and sufficient for spherical virion formation.
Conclusions:
- Nucleoprotein (NP) plays a critical role in regulating influenza virus morphology.
- Specific M1-NP interactions, influenced by NP residues in the ribonucleocapsid groove, likely mediate virion shape during budding.
Related Concept Videos
02:28Leaky Scanning
4.5K
During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA. Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R...
4.5K
01:27Influenza
87
Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
87
00:56Viral Structure
59.0K
Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
59.0K
00:36Viral Mutations
33.0K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
33.0K
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
1.5K
RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
1.5K