Abstract
We generated a recombinant influenza A virus (Mmut) that produced low levels of matrix (M1) and M2 proteins in infected cells. Mmut virus propagated to significantly lower titers than did wild-type virus in cells infected at low multiplicity. By contrast, virion morphology and incorporation of viral proteins and vRNAs into virus particles were similar to those of wild-type virus. We propose that a threshold amount of M1 protein is needed for the assembly of viral components into an infectious particle and that budding is delayed in Mmut virus-infected cells until sufficient levels of M1 protein accumulate at the plasma membrane.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 7926-7932 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Virology |
Volume | 79 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2005 |