Nuclear import of the influenza A virus transcriptional machinery

Vaccine. 2012 Dec 7;30(51):7353-8. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.085. Epub 2012 May 29.

Abstract

Unusually for an RNA virus, influenza A viruses transcribe and replicate their genomes in the nuclei of infected cells. As a result the viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), and their newly synthesised protein subunits, must interact with the host nuclear import machinery. In this review we discuss how the virus exploits nuclear import pathways to allow regulated and chaperoned assembly of RNPs in the nucleus, and describe how the import machinery itself can be a determinant of host tropism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus*
  • Cell Nucleus / virology
  • Influenza A virus / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins