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. 1996 Jun;70(6):4188–4192. doi: 10.1128/jvi.70.6.4188-4192.1996

A plasmid-based reverse genetics system for influenza A virus.

S Pleschka 1, R Jaskunas 1, O G Engelhardt 1, T Zürcher 1, P Palese 1, A García-Sastre 1
PMCID: PMC190316  PMID: 8648766

Abstract

A reverse genetics system for negative-strand RNA viruses was first successfully developed for influenza viruses. This technology involved the transfection of in vitro-reconstituted ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes into influenza virus-infected cells. We have now developed a method that allows intracellular reconstitution of RNP complexes from plasmid-based expression vectors. Expression of a viral RNA-like transcript is achieved from a plasmid containing a truncated human polymerase I (polI) promoter and a ribozyme sequence that generates the desired 3' end by autocatalytic cleavage. The polI-driven plasmid is cotransfected into human 293 cells with polII-responsive plasmids that express the viral PB1, PB2, PA, and NP proteins. This exclusively plasmid-driven system results in the efficient transcription and replication of the viral RNA-like reporter and allows the study of cis- and trans-acting signals involved in the transcription and replication of influenza virus RNAs. Using this system, we have also been able to rescue a synthetic neuraminidase gene into a recombinant influenza virus. This method represents a convenient alternative to the previously established RNP transfection system.

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Selected References

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