Conserved methionine 165 of matrix protein contributes to the nuclear import and is essential for influenza A virus replication.

Background: The influenza matrix protein (M1) layer under the viral membrane plays multiple roles in virus assembly and infection. N-domain and C-domain are connected by a loop region, which consists of conserved RQMV motif.

Methods: The function of the highly conserve RQMV motif in the influenza virus life cycle was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis and by rescuing mutant viruses by reverse genetics.

Nest ecology of blood parasites in the European roller and its ectoparasitic carnid fly.

Haemosporidian parasites are considered the most important vector-borne parasites. However, vector identity and ecology is unknown for most such host-vector-parasite systems. In this study, we employ microscopic and molecular analyses to examine haemosporidian prevalence in a migratory, cavity-nesting bird, European roller Coracias garrulus, and its nidicolous blood-feeding ectoparasite Carnus hemapterus.

Synergic and antagonistic effect of small hairpin RNAs targeting the NS gene of the influenza A virus in cells and mice.

In the present study, we demonstrate the effect of individual and mixtures of shRNAs targeting the NS gene to treat an established infection of influenza A virus (IAV). We prepared 10 shRNAs targeting the NS gene of the IAV, and these shRNAs were tested individually or in mixtures 16h after infection. Our results revealed: (i) shRNA targeting the NS1 transcript decreased the virus titre up to 21% (P<0.