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Description

Nucleoprotein (UniProt: Q9WLG4, also known as Nucleocapsid protein, Protein N) is encoded by the NP gene in Influenza A virus (strain A/Victoria/3/1975 H3N2). The genomes of all negative-strand RNA viruses are coated by the viral nucleoprotein. Together with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, these ribonucleoprotein complexes form the minimal functional unit for all viral transcription and replication. Influenza A virus has a negative-sense RNA genome that encodes a single-strand RNA-binding nucleoprotein. The primary function of the nucleoprotein is to encapsidate the virus genome for the purposes of RNA transcription, replication, and packaging. It is considered to be a critical factor in the viral infectious cycle in switching influenza virus RNA synthesis from transcription mode to replication mode. It also functions as a key adapter molecule between virus and host cell processes. It achieves this through its ability to interact with a wide variety of viral and cellular macromolecules, including RNA, itself, two subunits of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the viral matrix protein. Nuceloprotein can also interact with cellular polypeptides, including actin, components of the nuclear import and export apparatus and a nuclear RNA helicase. Influenza A nucleoprotein has an unconventional nuclear localization signal (NLS) (aa 1-18) and a bipartite NLS (aa 1980216). (Ref.: Portela, A., and Digard, P. (2002). J. Gen. Virol. 83(4), 723-34, de Lucas, S., et al. (2010). J. Virol. 84(15), 7603-7612).