Targeted NanoBiT Screening Identifies a Novel Interaction Between SNAPIN and Influenza A Virus M1 Protein

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Influenza A virus (IAV) poses a significant global health threat due to its rapid evolution.
• Understanding host-virus protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is crucial for developing effective antiviral therapies.
• Existing methods for identifying host-virus PPIs can be time-consuming and lack efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a rapid live-cell screening platform for discovering host-virus PPIs.
• To identify novel host factors interacting with IAV proteins.
• To lay the groundwork for investigating the functional role of identified interactions in viral replication.

Main Methods:

• Development of a live-cell screening platform utilizing the NanoBiT system.
• High-throughput screening to identify host-virus PPIs.
• Validation of identified interactions using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays.

Main Results:

• The NanoBiT-based platform successfully identified novel interactions between the host factor SNAPIN and IAV proteins M1, M2, and NS2.
• The interaction between SNAPIN and IAV M1 protein was validated using independent biochemical assays (Co-IP and GST pull-down).
• The study demonstrated the reliability and robustness of the developed PPI screening system.

Conclusions:

• The NanoBiT live-cell screening system is a robust and efficient tool for discovering host-virus PPIs.
• Novel interactions involving SNAPIN and IAV proteins were identified, highlighting SNAPIN as a potential target for antiviral development.
• Further research into the role of SNAPIN in IAV replication is warranted.