Phosphorylation controls RNA binding and transcription by the influenza virus polymerase

Abstract

The influenza virus polymerase transcribes and replicates the viral genome. The proper timing and balance of polymerase activity is important for successful replication. We previously showed that phosphorylation regulates genome replication by controlling assembly of the replication machinery (Mondal, et al. 2017). However, it remained unclear whether phosphorylation directly regulated polymerase activity. Here we identified polymerase phosphosites that control its function. Mutating phosphosites in the catalytic subunit PB1 altered polymerase activity and virus replication. Biochemical analyses revealed phosphorylation events that disrupted global polymerase function by blocking the NTP entry channel or preventing RNA binding. We also identified a regulatory site that split polymerase function by specifically suppressing transcription. These experiments show that host kinases phospho-regulate viral RNA synthesis directly by modulating polymerase activity and indirectly by controlling assembly of replication machinery. Further, they suggest polymerase phosphorylation may bias replication versus transcription at discrete times or locations during the infectious cycle.