Influenza A replication and host nuclear compartments: many changes and many questions

Abstract

It is over 40 years since investigations showed that influenza A, one of the rare nuclear replicating RNA viruses, induces marked remodeling of the host nuclear architecture. Influenza modifies and/or hijacks host nuclear machinery in order to replicate, express viral proteins and interfere with host antiviral response. Numerous interactions between constitutive nuclear proteins and viral factors are now characterized but less is known concerning their functional significance and their connection with viral-induced modifications of nuclear ultrastructure. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize data and hypotheses about functional interplays between host nuclear compartments and influenza A during viral replication.