3D structure of the influenza virus polymerase complex: localization of subunit domains

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Jan 6;101(1):308-13. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0307127101. Epub 2003 Dec 22.

Abstract

The 3D structure of the influenza virus polymerase complex was determined by electron microscopy and image processing of recombinant ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). The RNPs were generated by in vivo amplification using cDNAs of the three polymerase subunits, the nucleoprotein, and a model virus-associated RNA containing 248 nt. The polymerase structure obtained is very compact, with no apparent boundaries among subunits. The position of specific regions of the PB1, PB2, and PA subunits was determined by 3D reconstruction of either RNP-mAb complexes or tagged RNPs. This structural model is available for the polymerase of a negative-stranded RNA virus and provides a general delineation of the complex and its interaction with the template-associated nucleoprotein monomers in the RNP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Influenza A virus / enzymology*
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Subunits
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / chemistry*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / ultrastructure
  • Ribonucleoproteins / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoproteins / genetics
  • Ribonucleoproteins / ultrastructure
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / ultrastructure

Substances

  • PA protein, influenza viruses
  • PB2 protein, Influenzavirus A
  • Protein Subunits
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • influenza virus polymerase basic protein 1
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase