N-terminal region of the PB1-F2 protein is responsible for increased expression of influenza A viral protein PB1

Acta Virol. 2011;55(1):45-53. doi: 10.4149/av_2011_01_45.

Abstract

Influenza A virus (IAV) PB1-F2 protein is encoded by an alternative reading frame (+1) within the PB1 gene. PB1-F2 has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of influenza virus infection as well as to the secondary bacterial infection. More recently has been shown that PB1-F2 protein may regulate a viral RNA (vRNA) polymerase activity by the interaction with PB1 protein. We proved that PB1-F2 protein increased the level of expression of PB1 protein and vRNA in the infected cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that a higher level of vRNA expression resulted in the increase of expression of multiple viral proteins, including NP, M1, and NS1. Finally, we used plasmids expressing N-terminal (1-50 aa) or C-terminal (51-87 aa) region of the PB1-F2 molecule for transfection of MDCK cells co-infected with influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) virus deficient in the PB1-F2 protein expression (PR8ΔPB1-F2). These experiments clearly showed that N-terminal region of PB1-F2 protein was responsible for the increase in PB1 protein expression. C-terminal region of PB1-F2 protein had no effect. Thus, we have identified the important function for N-terminal region of PB1-F2 protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Puerto Rico
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Reading Frames
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • PB1-F2 protein, Influenza A virus
  • RNA, Viral
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Viral Proteins
  • influenza virus polymerase basic protein 1
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases