Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

Summary

The genome of the influenza A virus consists of eight separate complexes of RNA and proteins, termed viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs). This paper describes the glycerol gradient purification and transmission electron microscopy visualization of influenza A vRNPs.

Abstract

The influenza A viral genome consists of eight negative-sense, single stranded RNA molecules, individually packed with multiple copies of the influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) into viral ribonulceoprotein particles (vRNPs). The influenza vRNPs are enclosed within the viral envelope. During cell entry, however, these vRNP complexes are released into the cytoplasm, where they gain access to the host nuclear transport machinery. In order to study the nuclear import of influenza vRNPs and the replication of the influenza genome, it is useful to work with isolated vRNPs so that other components of the virus do not interfere with these processes. Here, we describe a procedure to purify these vRNPs from the influenza A virus. The procedure starts with the disruption of the influenza A virion with detergents in order to release the vRNP complexes from the enveloped virion. The vRNPs are then separated from the other components of the influenza A virion on a 33-70% discontinuous glycerol gradient by velocity sedimentation. The fractions obtained from the glycerol gradient are then analyzed on via SDS-PAGE after staining with Coomassie blue. The peak fractions containing NP are then pooled together and concentrated by centrifugation. After concentration, the integrity of the vRNPs is verified by visualization of the vRNPs by transmission electron microscopy after negative staining. The glycerol gradient purification is a modification of that from Kemler et al. (1994)¹, and the negative staining has been performed by Wu et al. (2007).²

Protocol

Part 1: Disruption of the Influenza A Virion Add 750 µl of MNT buffer (20 mM MES, 150 mM NaCl, 30 mM Tris, pH 7.5) into one Beckman polycarbonate centrifuge tube (11 mm x 34 mm) designed to fit into a TLA-120.2 rotor for use in a Beckman Optima Max-E ultracentrifuge. Add 500 µl of the influenza A virus (H3N2 X-31 A/AICHI/68 strain; 2 mg/ml) into that tube. Mix the virus with the MNT buffer by pipetting up and down several times. Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 109,000 x g, 4 &deg…

Discussion

The purification of vRNPs is based on the procedure described by Kemler et al. (1994).¹ We and others have also used this protocol to isolate vRNPs to study their nuclear import.^2,4,5

We recommend the use of RNase-free tips and tubes when manipulating vRNPs because the viral genome is composed of RNA, and therefore degrades easily in the presence of RNA. In addition, all buffers should be made in water that is RNase free. The protocol described here was performe…

Materials

Material Name	Type	Company	Catalogue Number	Comment
H3N2 X-31 A/AICHI/68 influenza A		Charles River Laboratories	490715
Tris		Sigma	T1503
MES		Sigma	M-8250
Glycerol		Fisher	G33-1
Octylglucoside		Sigma	O-8001
Lysolecithin		Sigma	L-4129
Dithiothreitol		Sigma	D-9779
Coomassie brilliant blue G-250		Kodak	1367796
diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC)-treated water		Invitrogen	750024
Uranyl Acetate		Ted Pella	19481
Ammonium Molybdate		Fisher	A-674
Optima MAX-E Ultracentrifuge		Beckman Coulter	434491
MLS-50 Rotor Package, Swinging Bucket		Beckman Coulter	367280
TLA-120.2 Rotor Assembly, Fixed-Angle, Titanium		Beckman Coulter	362046
Eppendorf Thermomixer		Brinkman	022670000