tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Vaccine
Volume 30, Issue 51, 7 December 2012, Pages 7359?7367
Fourth ESWI Influenza Conference
Cover image
Interaction network linking the human H3N2 influenza A virus genomic RNA segments
Emilie Fourniera, 1, E-mail the corresponding author,
Vincent Moulesb, 1, E-mail the corresponding author,
Boris Essereb,
Jean-Christophe Paillarta, E-mail the corresponding author,
Jean-Daniel Sirbata, E-mail the corresponding author,
Annie Cavalierc, E-mail the corresponding author,
Jean-Paul Rollandc, E-mail the corresponding author,
Daniel Thomasc, E-mail the corresponding author,
Bruno Linab, E-mail the corresponding author,
Catherine Isela, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author,
Roland Marqueta, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author
a Architecture et R?activit? de l?ARN, Universit? de Strasbourg, CNRS, IBMC, 15 rue Ren? Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
b Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, Universit? Lyon 1, FRE 3011 CNRS, Facult? de M?decine RTH Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France
c Interactions Cellulaires et Mol?culaires, Universit? Rennes 1, UMR 6026 CNRS, Campus de Beaulieu, b?timent 13, 35042 Rennes, France
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.09.079
Abstract
The genome of influenza A viruses is comprised of eight negative-sense viral RNAs (vRNAs) that form viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs). In order to be infectious, an influenza A viral particle must encapsidate at least one copy of each of the vRNAs. Thus, even though genome segmentation is evolutionary advantageous, it undeniably complicates viral assembly, which is believed to occur through a selective mechanism that still remains to be understood. Using electron tomography 3D-reconstructions, we show that the eight vRNPs of an influenza A Moscow/10/99 (H3N2) virus are interconnected within a star-like structure as they emerge from a unique ?transition zone? at the budding tip of the virions. Notably, this ?transition zone? is thick enough to accommodate all described packaging signals. We also report that, in vitro, each vRNA segment is involved in a direct contact with at least one other vRNA partner, in a single network of intermolecular interactions. We show that in several cases, the regions involved in vRNA/vRNA interactions overlap with previously identified packaging signals. Our results thus provide support for the involvement of RNA/RNA interactions in the selection and specific packaging of influenza A genomic RNAs, which appear embedded into an organised supramolecular complex likely held together by direct base-pairings between packaging signals.
Highlights
► The 8 vRNPs form a transition zone at the budding tip of the influenza A H3N2 virions. ► Contacts between vRNPs are observed in this transition zone. ► In vitro, all vRNAs are involved in a single interaction network. ► Sequences encompassing the packaging signals are involved in these interactions. ► Our data suggest that these interactions play a role in the selective packaging of the vRNPs.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X12014235
Volume 30, Issue 51, 7 December 2012, Pages 7359?7367
Fourth ESWI Influenza Conference
Cover image
Interaction network linking the human H3N2 influenza A virus genomic RNA segments
Emilie Fourniera, 1, E-mail the corresponding author,
Vincent Moulesb, 1, E-mail the corresponding author,
Boris Essereb,
Jean-Christophe Paillarta, E-mail the corresponding author,
Jean-Daniel Sirbata, E-mail the corresponding author,
Annie Cavalierc, E-mail the corresponding author,
Jean-Paul Rollandc, E-mail the corresponding author,
Daniel Thomasc, E-mail the corresponding author,
Bruno Linab, E-mail the corresponding author,
Catherine Isela, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author,
Roland Marqueta, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author
a Architecture et R?activit? de l?ARN, Universit? de Strasbourg, CNRS, IBMC, 15 rue Ren? Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
b Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, Universit? Lyon 1, FRE 3011 CNRS, Facult? de M?decine RTH Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France
c Interactions Cellulaires et Mol?culaires, Universit? Rennes 1, UMR 6026 CNRS, Campus de Beaulieu, b?timent 13, 35042 Rennes, France
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.09.079
Abstract
The genome of influenza A viruses is comprised of eight negative-sense viral RNAs (vRNAs) that form viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs). In order to be infectious, an influenza A viral particle must encapsidate at least one copy of each of the vRNAs. Thus, even though genome segmentation is evolutionary advantageous, it undeniably complicates viral assembly, which is believed to occur through a selective mechanism that still remains to be understood. Using electron tomography 3D-reconstructions, we show that the eight vRNPs of an influenza A Moscow/10/99 (H3N2) virus are interconnected within a star-like structure as they emerge from a unique ?transition zone? at the budding tip of the virions. Notably, this ?transition zone? is thick enough to accommodate all described packaging signals. We also report that, in vitro, each vRNA segment is involved in a direct contact with at least one other vRNA partner, in a single network of intermolecular interactions. We show that in several cases, the regions involved in vRNA/vRNA interactions overlap with previously identified packaging signals. Our results thus provide support for the involvement of RNA/RNA interactions in the selection and specific packaging of influenza A genomic RNAs, which appear embedded into an organised supramolecular complex likely held together by direct base-pairings between packaging signals.
Highlights
► The 8 vRNPs form a transition zone at the budding tip of the influenza A H3N2 virions. ► Contacts between vRNPs are observed in this transition zone. ► In vitro, all vRNAs are involved in a single interaction network. ► Sequences encompassing the packaging signals are involved in these interactions. ► Our data suggest that these interactions play a role in the selective packaging of the vRNPs.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X12014235