Fragile X mental retardation protein stimulates ribonucleoprotein assembly of influenza A virus

Abstract

The ribonucleoprotein (RNP) of the influenza A virus is responsible for the transcription and replication of viral RNA in the nucleus. These processes require interplay between host factors and RNP components. Here, we report that the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) targets influenza virus RNA synthesis machinery and facilitates virus replication both in cell culture and in mice. We demonstrate that FMRP transiently associates with viral RNP and stimulates viral RNP assembly through RNA-mediated interaction with the nucleoprotein. Furthermore, the KH2 domain of FMRP mediates its association with the nucleoprotein. A point mutation (I304N) in the KH2 domain, identified from a Fragile X syndrome patient, disrupts the FMRP-nucleoprotein association and abolishes the ability of FMRP to participate in viral RNP assembly. We conclude that FMRP is a critical host factor used by influenza viruses to facilitate viral RNP assembly. Our observation reveals a mechanism of influenza virus RNA synthesis and provides insights into FMRP functions.

Journal

Title: Nature Communications

Abbreviated Title: Nat Comms

Publisher: Springer Nature

ISSN (Electronic): 2041-1723

Publication date Created: February 10 2014

Publication date (Print): February 10 2014

Volume: 5

Issue:

Article

DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4259

PubMed ID: 24514761

SO-VID: a123ef10-0f0f-44d1-ac4d-bb938bf1fa3e

Copyright statement: © 2014

Product

Self URI (article page): http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/ncomms4259