Virus replication is mediated by interactions between virus and host. Here, we demonstrate that influenza A virus membrane protein 2 (M2) can be ubiquitinated. The lysine residue at position 78, which is located in the cytoplasmic domain of M2, is essential for M2 ubiquitination. An M2-K78R (Lys78→Arg78) mutant, which produces ubiquitination-deficient M2, showed a severe defect in production of infectious virus particles. M2-K78R mutant progeny contained more HA proteins, less viral RNAs and less internal viral proteins, including M1 and NP, than the wild-type virus. Furthermore, most of the M2-K78R mutant viral particles lacked viral ribonucleoproteins upon examination under electron microscopy and exhibited slightly lower densities. We also found that mutant M2 colocalized with M1 protein to a lesser extent than for wild-type virus. These findings may account for the reduced incorporation of viral ribonucleoprotein into virions. By blocking the second round of virus infection, we showed that the M2 ubiquitination-defective mutant exhibited normal level of virus replication during the first round of infection, thereby proving that M2 ubiquitination is involved in the virus production step. Finally, we found that M2-K78R mutant virus induced autophagy and apoptosis earlier than wild-type virus. Collectively, these results suggest that M2 ubiquitination plays an important role in infectious virus production by coordinating efficient packaging of the viral genome into virus particles and timing of viral-induced cell death.IMPORTANCEAnnual epidemics and recurring pandemics of influenza viruses represent a very high global health and economic burden. Influenza virus M2 protein has been extensively studied for its important roles in virus replication, particularly in viral entry and release. Rimantadine, one of the most commonly used antiviral drugs, binds to the channel lumen near the N-terminus of M2 proteins. However, viruses resistant to Rimantadine have emerged. M2 undergoes several posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation and palmitoylation. Here, we reveal that ubiquitination mediates the functional role of M2. A ubiquitination-deficient M2 mutant predominately produced virus particles either lacking viral ribonucleoproteins or containing smaller amounts of internal viral components, resulting in lower infectivity. Our findings offer insights into the mechanism of influenza virus morphogenesis, particularly the functional role of M1-M2 interactions in viral particle assembly, and can be applied to the development of new influenza therapies.
X-gp70: a third molecular species of the envelope protein gp70 of murine leukemia virus, expressed on mouse lymphoid cells.
