Palmitoylation of the influenza A virus M2 protein is not required for virus replication in vitro but contributes to virus virulence

Michael L. Grantham, Wai Hong Wu, Erin N. Lalime, Maria E. Lorenzo, Sabra L. Klein, Andrew Pekosz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

The influenza A virus M2 protein has important roles during virus entry and in the assembly of infectious virus particles. The cytoplasmic tail of the protein can be palmitoylated at a cysteine residue, but this residue is not conserved in a number of human influenza A virus isolates. Recombinant viruses encoding M2 proteins with a serine substituted for the cysteine at position 50 were generated in the A/WSN/33 (H1N1) and A/Udorn/72 (H3N2) genetic backgrounds. The recombinant viruses were not attenuated for replication in MDCK cells, Calu-3 cells, or in primary differentiated murine trachea epithelial cell cultures, indicating there was no significant contribution of M2 palmitoylation to virus replication in vitro. The A/WSN/33 M2C50S virus displayed a slightly reduced virulence after infection of mice, suggesting that there may be novel functions for M2 palmitoylation during in vivo infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8655-8661
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of virology
Volume83
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Insect Science
  • Virology

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