Influenza virus RNA polymerase PA subunit is a novel serine protease with Ser624 at the active site

Background: Influenza virus RNA polymerase is a multifunctional enzyme that catalyses both transcription and replication of the RNA genome. The function of the influenza virus RNA polymerase PA subunit in viral replication is poorly understood, although the enzyme is known to be required for cRNA --> vRNA synthesis. The protease related activity of PA has been discussed ever since protease-inducing activity was demonstrated in transfection experiments. Results: PA protein was highly purified from insect cells infected with the recombinant baculovirus carrying PA cDNA, and a novel chymotrypsin-type serine protease activity was identified with the synthetic peptide, Suc-LLVY-MCA, in the PA protein. [H-3]DFP was crosslinked with PA and a mutational analysis revealed that serine624 was as an active site for the protease activity. Conclusions:These results constitute the demonstration of protease activity in PA subunit of the influenza virus RNA polymerase complexes.