# INTERFERENCE BY DEFECTIVE INFLUENZA VIRUSES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 1989 · $149,447

## Abstract

Orthomyxoviruses (influenza virus) segmented negative strand RNA viruses,
constitute an important group of human and animal pathogen. The long term
goal of our project is to elucidate the processes involved in the
replication of standard as well as defective interfering (DI) RNAs. In
addition, we want to delineate the steps involved in the amplification of
DI RNAs and DI-mediated interference of standard virus replication.
During the previous project periods, we have shown that influenza DI
particles contain, in addition to standard RNA segments, small subgenomic
RNAs (DI RNAS) which are responsible for DI-mediated interference. These
DI RNAs arise predominantly, if not exclusively, from the three
polymerase (P) genes (PBl, PB2 PA) by one or more internal deletions.
These DI RNAS; therefore, retain both 5' and 3' sequences of the
progenitor genes and are transcriptionally active both in vitro and in
infected cells. In addition, some of these transcripts are produce
defective proteins. The objective of the present project is to answer a
number of questions using DI RNA as a marker, we want to determine if the
assembly and packaging of influenza virus eight RNA segments occur
randomly or in a selective fashion. This would answer a long standing
puzzle of RNAs (RNPs)  into infectious particles. Since influenza
replication and transcription take place in the cellular nuclei, we would
like to define the determinants required for transporting these P
proteins into the nuclei. Furthermore, since polymerase protein function
as 3P RNP complex, we would like to define the steps and requirements of
3P complex formation and finally, use the 3P complex in reconstituting an
in vitro transcription replication system. These experiments would enable
us to define the function of individual P proteins and the locatio of
critical domain(s) and site(s) in the RNA and proteins involved in
transcription and replication.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125275
- **Project number:** 2R01AI012749-14A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **SAM.gov UEI:** RN64EPNH8JC6
- **Principal Investigator:** DEBI P. NAYAK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $149,447
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1975-06-01 → 1994-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125275

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125275, INTERFERENCE BY DEFECTIVE INFLUENZA VIRUSES (2R01AI012749-14A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125275. Licensed CC0.

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