Generation and characterization of influenza A viruses with altered polymerase fidelity

Peter P. H. Cheung, Simon J. Watson, Ka-Tim Choy, Sin Fun Sia, Diana D. Y. Wong, Leo L. M. Poon, Paul Kellam, Yi Guan, J.S. Malik Peiris () and Hui-Ling Yen ()
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Peter P. H. Cheung: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
Simon J. Watson: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
Ka-Tim Choy: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
Sin Fun Sia: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
Diana D. Y. Wong: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
Leo L. M. Poon: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
Paul Kellam: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
Yi Guan: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
J.S. Malik Peiris: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong
Hui-Ling Yen: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Genetic diversity of influenza A viruses (IAV) acquired through the error-prone RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) or through genetic reassortment enables perpetuation of IAV in humans through epidemics or pandemics. Here, to assess the biological significance of genetic diversity acquired through RdRP, we characterize an IAV fidelity variant derived from passaging a seasonal H3N2 virus in the presence of ribavirin, a purine analogue that increases guanosine-to-adenosine mutations. We demonstrate that a single PB1-V43I mutation increases selectivity to guanosine in A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2) and A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) viruses. The H5N1 PB1-V43I-recombinant virus replicates to comparable titres as the wild-type virus in vitro or in the mouse lungs. However, a decrease in viral population diversity at day 3 post inoculation is associated with a tenfold reduced lethality and neurotropism in mice. Applying a fidelity variant with reduced mutational frequency, we provide direct experimental evidence for the role of genetic diversity in IAV pathogenesis.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5794

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