Characterisation of influenza A viruses with mutations in segment 5 packaging signals

Hutchinson, E. C. , Wise, H. M., Kudryavtseva, K., Curran, M. D. and Digard, P. (2009) Characterisation of influenza A viruses with mutations in segment 5 packaging signals. Vaccine, 27(45), pp. 6270-6275. (doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.05.053) (PMID:19840659) (PMCID:19840659)

Abstract

Influenza A virus vRNA segments contain specific packaging signals at their termini that overlap the coding regions. To further characterise segment 5 packaging signals, we introduced synonymous mutations into the terminal coding regions of the vRNA and characterised the replicative fitness of the resulting viruses. Most mutations tested were well-tolerated, but a virus with alterations to NP codons 464-466, near the 5′-end of the vRNA, produced small plaques and replicated to around one-tenth of the level of wild type virus. The mutant virus supported normal levels of NP and segment 5 vRNA synthesis but packaged reduced levels of both segment 5 and segment 3 into virus particles. This suggests an interaction between segments 3 and 5 during influenza A virus assembly.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hutchinson, Dr Edward
• Authors: Hutchinson, E. C., Wise, H. M., Kudryavtseva, K., Curran, M. D., and Digard, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Vaccine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0264-410X
• ISSN (Online): 0264-410X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Vaccine 27(45):6270-6275
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License