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Spliced and unspliced RNAs encoded by virion RNA segment 7 of influenza virus
Abstract:
Cells infected with the avian influenza virus fowl plague virus, contains three species of polyadenylated RNA which are complementary to virion RNA segment 7. The largest is virtually a complete transcript of vRNA 7, and is the messenger RNA for the matrix protein, but the coding function of the two smaller species, which are approximately 320 and 285 nucleotides long (excluding poly(A)), is unknown. It is likely however that at least one of the small RNAs encodes a new virus polypeptide which has been predicted from the nucleotides sequence of vRNA 7. The major part of each RNA maps within about 300 nucleotides from the 5'-terminus of vRNA 7, but the larger species also contains additional sequences derived from the 3' terminus. Production of the two small RNAs may involve alternative patterns of splicing of the matrix protein mRNA.
Insights
Avian influenza virus infection produces three polyadenylated RNAs complementary to vRNA 7. Two smaller RNAs, potentially encoding new viral proteins, may arise from alternative splicing of matrix protein mRNA.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Biology
Background:
- Avian influenza virus (fowl plague virus) infection involves complex RNA interactions.
- Virion RNA segment 7 (vRNA 7) is central to viral replication and protein synthesis.
- Previous studies identified polyadenylated RNAs complementary to vRNA 7 in infected cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the three polyadenylated RNA species found in avian influenza virus-infected cells.
- To investigate the coding potential and origin of these RNA species.
- To explore the relationship between these RNAs and the matrix protein mRNA.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of polyadenylated RNA species in infected cells.
- Mapping of RNA sequences to vRNA 7.
- Comparison of RNA sizes and terminal sequences.
Main Results:
- Three polyadenylated RNA species complementary to vRNA 7 were identified.
- The largest RNA is the messenger RNA for the matrix protein.
- Two smaller RNAs (approx. 320 and 285 nucleotides) map to the 5'-terminus of vRNA 7, with potential coding function for novel viral polypeptides.
- The larger RNA contains sequences from both the 5' and 3' termini of vRNA 7.
Conclusions:
- The study characterizes novel viral RNAs associated with avian influenza virus infection.
- The two smaller RNAs may represent alternatively spliced products or encode new viral proteins.
- Alternative splicing of matrix protein mRNA is a potential mechanism for generating these smaller RNAs.