[Action of hydrolytic enzymes on influenza virus A ribonucleoprotein]

The interaction of protein and RNA in composition of virion ribonucleoprotein (RNP) of influenza A virus was studied by treatment of this structure with hydrolytic enzymes: pancreatic RNase A, nuclease S1 and pronase. The results indicate that RNA in RNP does not shield proteins from the effect of pronase. The possibility of using this fact in the construction of a model RNP structure is discussed. No differences in the effect of RNase A and nuclease S1 on RNP were found which corresponded to the concept of the protective role of RNP protein in the process of RNA hydrolysis.