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The influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a heterotrimeric complex of polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1), PB2, and polymerase acidic protein (PA) subunits. It performs transcription and replication of the viral RNA genome in the nucleus of infected cells. We have identified a nuclear import factor, Ran binding protein 5 (RanBP5), also known as karyopherin beta3, importin beta3, or importin 5, as an interactor of the PB1 subunit. RanBP5 interacted with either PB1 alone or with a PB1-PA dimer but not with a PB1-PB2 dimer or the trimeric complex. The interaction between RanBP5 and PB1-PA was disrupted by RanGTP in vitro, allowing PB2 to bind to the PB1-PA dimer to form a functional trimeric RNA polymerase complex. We propose a model in which RanBP5 acts as an import factor for the newly synthesized polymerase by targeting the PB1-PA dimer to the nucleus. In agreement with this model, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knock-down of RanBP5 inhibited the nuclear accumulation of the PB1-PA dimer. Moreover, siRNA knock-down of RanBP5 resulted in the delayed accumulation of viral RNAs in infected cells, confirming that RanBP5 plays a biological role during the influenza virus life cycle.

Original publication

DOI

10.1128/JVI.01565-06

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Virol

Publication Date

12/2006

Volume

80

Pages

11911 - 11919

Keywords

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Amino Acid Sequence, Base Sequence, Cell Line, Cell Nucleus, DNA Primers, DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases, Dimerization, Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel, Humans, Influenza A virus, Models, Biological, Molecular Sequence Data, Protein Binding, RNA Interference, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Viral Proteins, beta Karyopherins