Sharmada Swaminath

Abstract Influenza A virus encodes conserved promoter sequences. Using minimal replication assays—transfections with viral polymerase, nucleoprotein, and a genomic template—these sequences were identified as 13nt at the 5’ end of the genomic RNA (U13) and 12nt at the 3’ end (U12). Other than the fourth 3’ nucleotide, the U12 and U13 sequences are identical between all eight RNA molecules of the segmented influenza A genome.

Abstract Transcription of interferons upon viral infection is critical for cell-intrinsic innate immunity. This process is influenced by many host and viral factors. To identify host factors that modulate interferon induction within cells infected by influenza A virus, we developed CRISPR with Transcriptional Readout (CRITR-seq). CRITR-seq is a method linking CRISPR guide sequence to activity at a promoter of interest.

Abstract Influenza A virus encodes promoters in both the sense and antisense orientations. These support the generation of new genomes, antigenomes, and mRNA transcripts. Using minimal replication assays—transfections with viral polymerase, nucleoprotein, and a genomic template—the influenza promoter sequences were identified as 13nt at the 5' end of the viral genomic RNA (U13) and 12nt at the 3' end (U12).