Influenza Virus-Host Interaction: Function of RNA Helicase a in Influenza a Virus Life Cycle

Virus-host interaction determines the outcome of virus infection. Like all viruses, influenza A viruses require host proteins and pathways to carry out many of the phases of their life cycles. Thus, cellular factors that are essential for efficient virus infection might be the target for anti-influenza interventions. We developed a new strategy which allowed us to identify some protein candidates that interact with non-structure protein 1 (NS1), a virulent factor of the virus, in the context of viral infection.  Further biomedical and functional analyses were focused on a protein called RNA helicase A (RHA).  We demonstrated that RHA enhances viral RNA replication and transcription. Knockdown of RHA led to a significant reduction in virus yield.