TREX (transcription/export)-NP complex exerts a dual effect on regulating polymerase activity and replication of influenza A virus

PLoS Pathog. 2022 Sep 9;18(9):e1010835. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010835. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Influenza A viruses effectively hijack the intracellular "resources" to complete transcription and replication, which involve extensive interactions between the viral and host proteins. Herein, we screened the host factors, which belong to DExD/H-box protein family members, RNA-binding proteins or mitochondrial anchoring proteins, to investigate their effects on polymerase activity. We observed DDX39B and DDX39A, DEAD-box RNA-Helicases, exert a dual effect on regulating polymerase activity and replication of influenza A viruses. We further revealed that DDX39B and DDX39A interact with viral NP and NS1 proteins. Interestingly, the viral NP proteins could reverse the inhibitory effect of excess DDX39B or DDX39A on polymerase activity. Mechanistically, the TREX complex subunits, THOC1, THOC4 and CIP29, were recruited to DDX39B-DDX39A-NP complex in an ATP-dependent manner, via the interaction with DDX39B or DDX39A, followed by excess TREX-NP complexes interfere with the normal oligomerization state of NP depending on the ratio between the viral and host proteins. On the other hand, the TREX complex, an evolutionarily conserved protein complex, is responsible for the integration of several mRNA processing steps to export viral mRNA. Knockdown of TREX complex subunits significantly down-regulated viral titers and protein levels, accompanied by retention of viral mRNA in the nucleus. Taken together, screening the host factors that regulate the replication of influenza virus advances our understanding of viral pathogenesis and our findings point out a previously unclear mechanism of TREX complex function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Influenza A virus* / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases

Grants and funding

This work was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China [Grant number: 2021YFD1800205 (JP)], National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant number: 31772775 (JP); 32272992 (JP)] and the State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology [Grant number: SKLVBF202103 (JP)]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.