Disruption of influenza virus packaging signals results in various misassembled genome complexes

• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01076-23
• Publication Date: 2023-10-09T13:06:07Z
• Authors: Justine Girard; Celia Jakob; Lina Kathrin Toews; Jonas Fuchs; Anne Pohlmann; Kati Franzke; Larissa Kolesnikova; Csaba Jeney; Martin Beer; Patrick Bron; Martin Schwemmle; Hardin Bolte
• Keywords: Influenza A virus; Virus Assembly; Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype; Virion; 610; RNA, Viral; Viral Genome Packaging; Genome, Viral; 3. Good health

ABSTRACT The eight different genomic viral RNAs (vRNAs) of influenza A virus are typically packaged into virions as a (7 + 1) complex seven ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) around central vRNP. Mutations in the packaging signals these vRNAs predicted to result lacking specific vRNPs. However, whether vRNPs then replaced by vRNP-like host is an open question. Here, we report that mutations two A/SC35M virus, which cause near-complete loss four from total virion population, several distinct subpopulations with unusual vRNP content. Half analyzed empty or contain incomplete genome complexes one Unexpectedly, most other atypical consisting multiple copies efficiently vRNAs, but no RNAs. reported set misassembled suggests coordinate modular assembly process. IMPORTANCE consists single octameric complex. How this assembled and incorporated poorly understood, previous research coordinative role for present all vRNAs. show disruption model H7N7 results mixture vRNA content, including virions, composed duplicates. Our suggest (i) error-free proceeds through series defined sub-complexes (ii) can bud without incorporating complete complexes.