1月24日,，《自然·通訊》上發(fā)表了一項研究表明，東京大學(xué)醫(yī)學(xué)研究所的專家已發(fā)現(xiàn)甲型H1N1流感病毒的基因結(jié)構(gòu)，有望以此為基礎(chǔ)，開發(fā)遏制這一病毒增殖的新療法,。
該報告指出，研究人員利用電子顯微鏡,，觀察了利用狗細(xì)胞增殖的甲型H1N1流感病毒的基因立體結(jié)構(gòu),。結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)，在這種病毒內(nèi)的1個棒狀基因周圍,，共有7個基因環(huán)繞，每個基因之間都由繩狀物質(zhì)相連,，形成一個復(fù)合體,。
研究小組認(rèn)為，這些繩狀物質(zhì)就是核糖核酸(RNA),。領(lǐng)導(dǎo)這項研究的東京大學(xué)副教授野田岳志說,，那些繩狀物質(zhì)對于抗病毒藥物來說是“絕好的靶子”。
甲型H1N1流感病毒引起的疫情曾在2009年集中暴發(fā),，一年后,，世界衛(wèi)生組織發(fā)布的數(shù)據(jù)顯示，這一疫情在全球造成超過1.8萬人死亡,。目前各個國家和地區(qū)主要使用世衛(wèi)組織建議的達(dá)菲等抗病毒藥物對感染者進(jìn)行治療,。(生物谷 Bioon.com)
doi:10.1038/ncomms1647
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Three-dimensional analysis of ribonucleoprotein complexes in influenza A virus
Takeshi Noda, Yukihiko Sugita, Kazuhiro Aoyama,Ai Hirase, Eiryo Kawakami,Atsuo Miyazawa, Hiroshi Sagara & Yoshihiro Kawaoka
The influenza A virus genome consists of eight single-stranded negative-sense RNA (vRNA) segments. Although genome segmentation provides advantages such as genetic reassortment, which contributes to the emergence of novel strains with pandemic potential, it complicates the genome packaging of progeny virions. Here we elucidate, using electron tomography, the three-dimensional structure of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) within progeny virions. Each virion is packed with eight well-organized RNPs that possess rod-like structures of different lengths. Multiple interactions are found among the RNPs. The position of the eight RNPs is not consistent among virions, but a pattern suggests the existence of a specific mechanism for assembly of these RNPs. Analyses of budding progeny virions suggest two independent roles for the viral spike proteins: RNP association on the plasma membrane and the subsequent formation of the virion shell. Our data provide further insights into the mechanisms responsible for segmented-genome packaging into virions.
