The Functional Study of the N-Terminal Region of Influenza B Virus Nucleoprotein.

Liu, Ming; Lam, Mandy Ka-Han; Zhang, Qinfen; Elderfield, Ruth; Barclay, Wendy S; Shaw, Pang-Chui · PLoS One · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Influenza nucleoprotein (NP) is a major component of the ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) in influenza virus, which functions for the transcription and replication of viral genome. Compared to the nucleoprotein of influenza A (ANP), the N-terminal region of influenza B nucleoprotein (BNP) is much extended. By virus reconstitution, we found that the first 38 residues are essential for viral growth. We further illustrated the function of BNP by mini-genome reconstitution, fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, light scattering and gel shift. Results show that the N terminus is involved in the formation of both higher homo-oligomers of BNP and BNP-RNA complex.

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