HTHSCI 3K03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Orthomyxoviridae, A549 Cell, Dihydrofolate Reductase
12 Dec 2018
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Document Summary
Influenza virus executes a two-pronged attack on host cell transcription which blocks the host cells from reacting to the infection, blocking transcription and translation of the host genes. The development and research into this field has implications for understanding not only host-virus interactions but also fundamental aspects of mammalian transcription which could inform research into improved flu vaccines. Researchers from oxford university lead by dr. bauer in the school of pathology used human cells infected with influenza virus to examine the cell"s rna polymerase during viral infection. Rna polymerase is an enzyme that is responsible for copying a dna sequences onto rna sequences which goes under attack by the virus. Influenza virus infection causes decreased polymerase gene occupancy downstream of the transcription start sites and virus induced cellular stress leads to a failure of polymerase termination at end sites. This results in the disruption of host cell transcription, inhibiting host cell gene expression.
