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.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Influenza A virus / chemistry
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Influenza A virus / metabolism
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Influenza B virus / chemistry*
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Influenza B virus / metabolism
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Nucleocapsid Proteins
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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RNA, Viral / chemistry*
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RNA, Viral / metabolism
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Viral Core Proteins / chemistry*
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Viral Core Proteins / metabolism
Substances
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Nucleocapsid Proteins
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RNA, Viral
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Viral Core Proteins
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nucleoprotein, influenza B virus
Grants and funding
This research was supported by a General Research Fund grant (CUHK473810) from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (PCS),
http://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/index.htm, and an Area of Excellence Scheme of the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong (Grant AoE/M-12/06) (PCS). Equipment used was obtained through a Special Equipment Grant (SEG CUHK08) from the University Grants Council of Hong Kong,
http://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/index.htm. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.