Structure and Function of the Influenza A Virus Non-Structural Protein 1

• Published in: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 29; no. 8; pp. 1184 - 1192
• Main Authors: Han, Chang Woo, Jeong, Mi Suk, Jang, Se Bok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 한국미생물생명공학회 31-08-2019
• Subjects: antiviral defense; Influenza A virus; inhibitor; NS1; virus-host interaction; virus-host interaction; Influenza A virus; inhibitor; NS1; antiviral defense
• ISSN: 1017-7825; 1738-8872

The influenza A virus is a highly infectious respiratory pathogen that sickens many people with respiratory disease annually. To prevent outbreaks of this viral infection, an understanding of the characteristics of virus-host interaction and development of an anti-viral agent is urgently needed. The influenza A virus can infect mammalian species including humans, pigs, horses and seals. Furthermore, this virus can switch hosts and form a novel lineage. This so-called zoonotic infection provides an opportunity for virus adaptation to the new host and leads to pandemics. Most influenza A viruses express proteins that antagonize the antiviral defense of the host cell. The non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of the influenza A virus is the most important viral regulatory factor controlling cellular processes to modulate host cell gene expression and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated antiviral response. This review focuses on the influenza A virus NS1 protein and outlines current issues including the life cycle of the influenza A virus, structural characterization of the influenza A virus NS1, interaction between NS1 and host immune response factor, and design of inhibitors resistant to the influenza A virus.