What are the host factors involved in detection and replication of RNA viruses?
While most viral genomes encode for proteins that mediate viral entry, replication and assembly, viruses are still dependent on host factors for their life cycle within cells. The genome of RNA viruses, for example, is synthesized, processed, transported and packaged within a host cell. For many of these processes, the identity and function of the host factors are not known. In addition, RNA viruses are detected by a system of RNA sensors that trigger host defenses. We are using an RNAi-based screen to comprehensively identify host gene products that play a role in: (1) innate immune sensing of RNA and RNA viruses and (2) the life cycle of RNA viruses. We are currently focusing our efforts on the segmented negative-stranded influenza A virus and have identified several essential host factors that confer susceptibility or resistance to influenza infection in human lung epithelial cells.
