Uncovering the global host cell requirements for influenza virus replication via RNAi screening

Abstract

Influenza virus is reliant on numerous host cell functions during its replication cycle. RNA interference technology, applied on a genome-wide level, has identified human host factors that are necessary for efficient virus replication and provides new insight into how influenza virus interacts with its host at the molecular level.

Figure 1. Graphical representation of the 34 best validated host factors identified in the different RNAi screens

Analysis of the validated hits from the RNAi screens by Brass et al. [5], Karlas et al. [4] and König et al. [3] resulted in a list of 34 genes that were identified in at least two screens. These 34 host cell factors are shown with regards to their localization within the cell and in context of the viral replication cycle. The four different groups of host proteins with known function in the viral life-cycle are depicted in colored symbols ((1) components of the vATPase complex, (2) COPI proteins, (3) nucleo-cytoplasmic transport factors, (4) members of the splicing machinery); the host factors with as yet unknown function are illustrated with grey symbols.