biostudies-literatureDadonaite BMedical Research CouncilNHLBI NIH HHSNHGRI NIH HHSWellcome TrustNIGMS NIH HHSBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council1781-1789https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7191640biostudies-literatureUnknown4(11)Influenza A viruses (IAVs) constitute a major threat to human health. The IAV genome consists of eight single-stranded viral RNA segments contained in separate viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes that are packaged together into a single virus particle. The structure of viral RNA is believed to play a role in assembling the different vRNPs into budding virions^1-8 and in directing reassortment between IAVs⁹. Reassortment between established human IAVs and IAVs harboured in the animal reservoir can lead to the emergence of pandemic influenza strains to which there is little pre-existing immunity in the human population^10,11. While previous studies have revealed the overall organization of the proteins within vRNPs, characterization of viral RNA structure Nature microbiologyThe structure of the influenza A virus genome.PMC7191640R01 HL111527MR/R009945/1R01 GM101237105399/Z/14/ZBB/M011224/1R01 GM126554R01 HG008133MR/K000241/1Fodor EDadonaite BRockman SLaederach ATrifkovic SKnight MLGilbertson BBrown LEBauer DLVfalseThe structure of the influenza A virus genome.Influenza A viruses (IAVs) constitute a major threat to human health. The IAV genome consists of eight single-stranded viral RNA segments contained in separate viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes that are packaged together into a single virus particle. The structure of viral RNA is believed to play a role in assembling the different vRNPs into budding virions^1-8 and in directing reassortment between IAVs⁹. Reassortment between established human IAVs and IAVs harboured in the animal reservoir can lead to the emergence of pandemic influenza strains to which there is little pre-existing immunity in the human population^10,11. While previous studies have revealed the overall organization of the proteins within vRNPs, characterization of viral RNA structure 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Nov2026-05-04T16:57:47.784Z2020-10-29T14:05:42ZS-EPMC71916403133238510.1038/s41564-019-0513-7