Detection and characterization of influenza A virus PA-PB2 interaction through a bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay

J Virol. 2009 Apr;83(8):3944-55. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02300-08. Epub 2009 Feb 4.

Abstract

The influenza virus polymerase complex, consisting of the PA, PB1, and PB2 subunits, is required for the transcription and replication of the influenza A viral genome. Previous studies have shown that PB1 serves as a core subunit to incorporate PA and PB2 into the polymerase complex by directly interacting with PA and PB2. Despite numerous attempts, largely involving biochemical approaches, a specific interaction between PA and PB2 subunits has yet to be detected. In the current study, we developed and utilized bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) to study protein-protein interactions in the assembly of the influenza A virus polymerase complex. Proof-of-concept experiments demonstrated that BiFC can specifically detect PA-PB1 interactions in living cells. Strikingly, BiFC demonstrated an interaction between PA and PB2 that has not been reported previously. Deletion-based BiFC experiments indicated that the N-terminal 100 amino acid residues of PA are responsible for the PA-PB2 interaction observed in BiFC. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of subcellular localization patterns and temporal nuclear import of PA-PB2 binary complexes suggested that PA and PB2 subunits interacted in the cytoplasm initially and were subsequently transported as a dimer into the nucleus. Taken together, results of our studies reveal a previously unknown PA-PB2 interaction and provide a framework for further investigation of the biological relevance of the PA-PB2 interaction in the polymerase activity and viral replication of influenza A virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Fluorescence
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / physiology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Protein Interaction Mapping / methods*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / metabolism*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • PA protein, influenza viruses
  • PB2 protein, Influenzavirus A
  • Viral Proteins
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase