Selective Genome Packaging Mechanisms of Influenza A Viruses

The genome of influenza Avirus (IAV) comprises eight segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNAs. The genome packaging mechanism of IAV was a long-standing enigma, but it is now widely accepted that IAV packages one copy of each of the eight viral RNA (vRNA) segments in a selective manner. Accumulating evidence over the last decade suggests that the eight unique vRNAs are selected via intersegment interactions mediated by their segment-specific genome packaging signals; however, the characteristics of these RNA-based interactions largely remain unknown. This review summarizes our current knowledge of IAV selective genome packaging and the possible mechanisms underlying the selection of the eight unique vRNAs.

Automated summary

The genome of influenza A virus consists of eight segmented RNAs, which are now believed to be selectively packaged through interactions mediated by segment-specific genome packaging signals. Studies suggest that these interactions are facilitated by their specific RNA characteristics.