Mini review: a glimpse of nonstructural protein 1 of influenza a H1N1

Abstract

The nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is encoded by influenza A viral RNA segment 8. It is expressed abundantly in infected cells and showing unique regulative properties to establish infection in its host. The NS1 protein possesses two functional domains which are dsRNA-Binding Domain (RBD) and Effector Domain (ED). Its multifunctional nature causes it to be potent to evade host immune-response. NS1 protein interacts with RNA and is responsible to trigger the interferon-based antiviral response through a series of intracellular pathways including activation of host cell PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) growth factor and inhibition on cellular stimulated genes of PKR (protein kinase R). In addition, this nascent protein is able to block the active site of nucleolin and hold back post-transcriptional nuclear export of mRNAs. The cloning and expression of NS1 protein can be considered as the fundamental source to study the function of this gene for future research and application.