Host-Virus-Interactions to regulate Gene Expression through the modulation of Transcription Termination
Cellular infection with Influenza A (IAV) and Herpes Simplex (HSV1) Virus leads to profound transcription termination defects in the host cell. Some IAV strains utilise their effector protein NS1 to inhibit transcription termination, but NS1 independent pathways have evolved in other IAV strains. Intrigued by the observation that two completely unrelated viruses rely on the inhibition of the same cellular process, we will examine which mechanisms evolved to inhibit host cell transcription termination and test if these contribute to viral survival. Using biochemistry, transcriptomics, genetics, cell biology, structural and molecular biology, we will also scrutinize how cells react to viral interference with basic transcription termination.