Open AccessAssociation of the Influenza A Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase with Cellular RNA Polymerase II
Author(s) -
Othmar G. Engelhardt,
Matt Smith,
Ervin Fodor
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.617
H-Index - 292
eISSN - 1070-6321
pISSN - 0022-538X
DOI - 10.1128/jvi.79.9.5812-5818.2005
Subject(s) - rna polymerase ii , biology , transcription factor ii d , rna polymerase i , polymerase , rna dependent rna polymerase , rna polymerase iii , transcription (linguistics) , rna polymerase ii holoenzyme , transcription factor ii f , rna polymerase , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factories , influenza a virus , virology , rna , virus , gene expression , gene , genetics , promoter , linguistics , philosophy
Transcription by the influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is dependent on cellular RNA processing activities that are known to be associated with cellular RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription, namely, capping and splicing. Therefore, it had been hypothesized that transcription by the viral RNA polymerase and Pol II might be functionally linked. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the influenza virus RNA polymerase complex interacts with the large subunit of Pol II via its C-terminal domain. The viral polymerase binds hyperphosphorylated forms of Pol II, indicating that it targets actively transcribing Pol II. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis is consistent with a new model showing that influenza virus polymerase accumulates at Pol II transcription sites. The present findings provide a framework for further studies to elucidate the mechanistic principles of transcription by a viral RNA polymerase and have implications for the regulation of Pol II activities in infected cells.