Host Factors Regulating The Influenza Virus Replication Machinery

The influenza replication machinery drives gene expression and genome replication. Whereas the viral polymerase contains all of the intrinsic enzymatic activity required for these processes, it is dependent upon interactions with host cell factors for a successful infection. Here we describe the host factors that have been shown to interact with and modulate the viral polymerase. These include host factors repurposed by the virus, factors whose normal activities have been disrupted, viral and host proteins that regulate polymerase function, and host mechanisms that antagonize the viral replication machinery in an unsuccessful attempt to stop replication.