Evolutionary conservation of the PA-X open reading frame in segment 3 of influenza A virus

J Virol. 2012 Nov;86(22):12411-3. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01677-12. Epub 2012 Sep 5.

Abstract

PA-X is a fusion protein of influenza A virus encoded in part from a +1 frameshifted X open reading frame (X-ORF) in segment 3. We show that the X-ORFs of diverse influenza A viruses can be divided into two groups that differ in selection pressure and likely function, reflected in the presence of an internal stop codon and a change in synonymous diversity. Notably, truncated forms of PA-X evolved convergently in swine and dogs, suggesting a strong species-specific effect.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Codon
  • Codon, Terminator
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Dogs
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genome, Viral
  • Influenza A virus / genetics*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Swine
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Codon
  • Codon, Terminator
  • PA-X protein, influenza A virus
  • RNA, Viral
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Viral Proteins