A recombinant virus-like particle vaccine against adenovirus-7 induces a potent humoral response

Adenoviruses (AdVs) cause infections in humans that range from mild to severe, and can cause outbreaks particularly in close contact settings. Several human AdV types have been identified, which can cause a wide array of clinical manifestations. AdV types 4 and 7 (AdV-4 and AdV-7), which are among the most commonly circulating types in the United States, are known to cause acute respiratory disease that can result in hospitalization and rarely, death. Currently, the only vaccines approved for use in humans are live virus vaccines against AdV-4 and AdV-7, though these vaccines are only authorized for use in U.S. military personnel. While they are efficacious, use of these live virus vaccines carries considerable risks of vaccine-associated viral shedding and recombination. Here, we present an alternative vaccination strategy against AdV-7 using the virus-like particle platform (AdVLP-7). We describe the production of stable recombinant AdVLP-7, and demonstrate that AdVLP-7 is structurally analogous to wild-type AdV-7 virions (WT AdV-7). Preclinical immunogenicity studies in mice show that AdVLP-7 elicits a potent humoral immune response, comparable to that observed in mice immunized with WT AdV-7. Specifically, AdVLP-7 induces high titers of antibodies against AdV-7-specific antigens that can effectively neutralize AdV-7.

Novel and efficient method for the reconstruction of adenoviruses through isothermal assembly and its potential applications

Adenovirus based vectors are useful tools for vaccine development, gene therapy, and oncolytic virotherapy. Here we describe a novel approach for the genetic engineering of any portion of the adenovirus genome and the reconstruction of either fully replication competent or defective virions. This innovative strategy is rapid, effective and suitable for the manipulation of the entire genome broadening the spectrum of potential applications for the adenovirus system. Our strategy involved insertion of restriction enzyme recognition sequences absent in the native virus into the termini of the adenovirus genome in order to facilitate recovery. These restriction enzyme sites, together with the two inverted terminal repeats and packaging sequences, were synthesized and then subcloned into the pBR322 vector. The remaining internal portion of the adenovirus genome was separated and amplified via PCR into six segments, of which groups of two were joined together by PCR and then subcloned into pBR322 plasmids. During the PCR reaction, an overlap of 30-40 bp was added to the termini of the adjacent fragments, allowing for the subsequent isothermal assembly and correct orientation of all fragments. This approach allows for the genetic modification of each genomic fragment according to the specific research goals, (e.g., deletion, substitution, addition, etc.) To recreate the entire viral genome, the four engineered fragments (each comprised of two adenovirus genomic sections) as well as the pBR322 backbone, were reassembled into a single construct utilizing an isothermal assembly reaction. Finally, the reassembled plasmid containing the entire genome was linearized and transfected into HEK293 cells to recover the complete reconstructed adenoviral vector. Using this approach, we have successfully generated two recombinant reporter adenoviruses, one of human adenovirus serotype 14 and another of serotype 55. The E3 region was replaced by the reporter genes (GFP and Luciferase) to visualize and track the recovery process. Subsequent infection of A549 cells with these reconstructed adenovirus vectors demonstrated that they were replication competent. This method shortens the viral reconstruction process because the one-step isothermal assembly requires less than 4 days, and recombinant adenovirus recovery occurs within 10 days. This new method allows for single or multiple genetic modifications within any portion of the viral genome and can be used to construct or manipulate any adenovirus whose complete genome sequence is known.

Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Monovalent and Bivalent Formulations of a Virus-Like Particle Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

Virus-like particles (VLPs) offer great potential as a safe and effective vaccine platform against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Here, we show that SARS-CoV-2 VLPs can be generated by expression of the four viral structural proteins in a mammalian expression system. Immunization of mice with a monovalent VLP vaccine elicited a potent humoral response, showing neutralizing activity against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2. Subsequent immunogenicity and efficacy studies were performed in the Golden Syrian hamster model, which closely resembles the pathology and progression of COVID-19 in humans. Hamsters immunized with a bivalent VLP vaccine were significantly protected from infection with the Beta or Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccinated hamsters showed reduced viral load, shedding, replication, and pathology in the respiratory tract. Immunized hamsters also showed variable levels of cross-neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant. Overall, the VLP vaccine elicited robust protective efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. These promising results warrant further study of multivalent VLP vaccines in Phase I clinical trials in humans.

Current development of Zika virus vaccines with special emphasis on virus-like particle technology

Introduction: Zika virus disease received little attention until its recent explosive emergence around the globe. The devastating consequences of this pandemic include congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and the neurological autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome. These potential outcomes prompted massive efforts to understand the course of Zika infection and to develop therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for treatment and prevention of disease.Area covered: Preclinical and clinical data demonstrate that a safe and efficacious vaccine for protection against Zika virus infection is possible in the near future. Nevertheless, significant knowledge gaps regarding the outcome of a mass vaccination strategy exist and must be addressed. Zika virus circulates in flavivirus-endemic regions, an ideal Zika vaccine should avoid the potential of antibody-dependent enhancement from exposure to dengue virus. Prevention of CZS is the primary goal for immunization, and the vaccine must provide protection against intrauterine transmission for use during pregnancy and in women of childbearing age. Ideally, a vaccine should also prevent sexual transmission of the virus through mucosal protection.Expert opinion: This review describes current vaccine approaches against Zika virus with particular attention to the application of virus-like particle (VLP) technology as a strategy for solving the challenges of Zika virus immunization.

Structural characterization of the PCV2d virus-like particle at 3.3 Å resolution reveals differences to PCV2a and PCV2b capsids, a tetranucleotide, and an N-terminus near the icosahedral 3-fold axes

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) has a major impact on the swine industry. Eight PCV2 genotypes (a-h) have been identified using capsid sequence analysis. PCV2d has been designated as the emerging genotype. The cryo-electron microscopy molecular envelope of PCV2d virus-like particles identifies differences between PCV2a, b and d genotypes that accompany the emergence of PCV2b from PCV2a, and PCV2d from PCV2b. These differences indicate that sequence analysis of genotypes is insufficient, and that it is important to determine the PCV2 capsid structure as the virus evolves. Structure-based sequence comparison demonstrate that each genotype possesses a unique combination of amino acids located on the surface of the capsid that undergo substitution. We also demonstrate that the capsid N-terminus moves in response to increasing amount of nucleic acid packaged into the capsid. Furthermore, we model a tetranucleotide between the 5- and 2-fold axes of symmetry that appears to be responsible for capsid stability.

Dengue-2 virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine elicits the highest titers of neutralizing antibodies when produced at reduced temperature

A dengue vaccine capable of rapidly eliciting a robust and balanced immunity against the four virus serotypes after only a few immunizations is greatly needed. We describe a new strategy to develop dengue vaccines based on the assembly of virus-like particles (VLPs) utilizing the structural proteins CprME together with a modified complex of the NS2B/NS3 protease, which enhances particle formation and yield. These VLPs are produced in mammalian cells and resemble native dengue virus as demonstrated by negative staining and immunogold labelling electron microscopy (EM). We found that VLPs produced at lower temperature (31 °C) were recognized by conformational monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 4G2, 3H5 and C10 whereas VLPs produced at higher temperature (37 °C) were not recognized by these MAbs. To investigate the significance of these conformational discrepancies in vaccine performance, we tested the immunogenicity of VLP vaccines produced at 31 °C or 37 °C. Mice immunized with the VLP vaccine produced at 31 °C (VLP-31 °C) elicited the highest titer of neutralizing antibodies when compared to those elicited by equivalent doses of the vaccine produced at 37 °C (VLP-37 °C), inactivated dengue virus vaccine or to the titer of a human anti-dengue-2 convalescence serum reference. Our results demonstrate that the conformation of the E protein displayed on the VLP vaccine plays a critical role in the induction of highly neutralizing antibodies. These findings will guide development of a tetravalent vaccine capable of eliciting a robust and balanced neutralizing response against the four-dengue serotypes regardless of background immunity.

Adjuvant formulations for virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccines

The development of virus-like particle (VLP) technology has had an enormous impact on modern vaccinology. In order to optimize the efficacy and safety of VLP-based vaccines, adjuvants are included in most vaccine formulations. To date, most licensed VLP-based vaccines utilize the classic aluminum adjuvant compositions. Certain challenging pathogens and weak immune responder subjects may require further optimization of the adjuvant formulation to maximize the magnitude and duration of the protective immunity. Indeed, novel classes of adjuvants such as liposomes, agonists of pathogen recognition receptors, polymeric particles, emulsions, cytokines and bacterial toxins, can be used to further improve the immunostimulatory activity of a VLP-based vaccine. This review describes the current advances in adjuvant technology for VLP-based vaccines directed at viral diseases, and discusses the basic principles for designing adjuvant formulations for enhancing the vaccine immunogenicity.

Zika virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine

The newly emerged mosquito-borne Zika virus poses a major public challenge due to its ability to cause significant birth defects and neurological disorders. The impact of sexual transmission is unclear but raises further concerns about virus dissemination. No specific treatment or vaccine is currently available, thus the development of a safe and effective vaccine is paramount. Here we describe a novel strategy to assemble Zika virus-like particles (VLPs) by co-expressing the structural (CprME) and non-structural (NS2B/NS3) proteins, and demonstrate their effectiveness as vaccines. VLPs are produced in a suspension culture of mammalian cells and self-assembled into particles closely resembling Zika viruses as shown by electron microscopy studies. We tested various VLP vaccines and compared them to analogous compositions of an inactivated Zika virus (In-ZIKV) used as a reference. VLP immunizations elicited high titers of antibodies, as did the In-ZIKV controls. However, in mice the VLP vaccine stimulated significantly higher virus neutralizing antibody titers than comparable formulations of the In-ZIKV vaccine. The serum neutralizing activity elicited by the VLP vaccine was enhanced using a higher VLP dose and with the addition of an adjuvant, reaching neutralizing titers greater than those detected in the serum of a patient who recovered from a Zika infection in Brazil in 2015. Discrepancies in neutralization levels between the VLP vaccine and the In-ZIKV suggest that chemical inactivation has deleterious effects on neutralizing epitopes within the E protein. This along with the inability of a VLP vaccine to cause infection makes it a preferable candidate for vaccine development.

A novel intranasal virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine designed to protect against the pandemic 1918 influenza A virus (H1N1)

We have prepared a virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine bearing the surface glycoproteins HA and NA of the 1918 influenza A virus by infecting Sf9 cells with a quadruple recombinant baculovirus that expresses the four influenza proteins (HA, NA, M1, and M2) required for the assembly and budding of the VLPs. The presence of HA and M1 in the purified VLPs was confirmed by Western blot, and that of NA by a neuraminidase enzymatic assay. For in vivo studies, the 1918 VLP vaccine was formulated with or without an oligonucleotide containing two CpG motifs and administered in two doses 2 wk apart via the intranasal route. The antibody titers in mice immunized with VLP vaccines were higher than in mice vaccinated with an inactivated swine virus (H1N1) control, when CHO cells expressing 1918 HA were used as antigen. The opposite result was obtained when disrupted swine virus was the antigen for the ELISA test. Vaccine efficacy was evaluated by challenging immunized mice with the 1918 antigenically related influenza virus A/swine/Iowa/15/30 (H1N1) and measuring viral titers in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Mice immunized with VLP vaccine plus CpG demonstrated significantly lower viral titers in the nose and lungs than did the control on days 2 and 4 postchallenge and completely cleared the virus by day 6. Furthermore, they did not show symptoms of disease although there was a minor decrease in body weight. Mice vaccinated with VLP alone also demonstrated significantly lower viral titers in the nose and lungs than did the placebo group as well as the inactivated virus group on days 4 and 6 postchallenge. These results suggest that it is feasible to make a safe and immunogenic vaccine to protect against the extremely virulent 1918 virus, using a novel and safe cell-based technology.

Virus-like particle vaccine conferred complete protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge

We have previously demonstrated the formation and release of influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) from the surface of Sf9 cells infected with either a quadruple baculovirus recombinant that simultaneously expresses the influenza structural proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix 1 (M1), and matrix 2 (M2), or a combination of single recombinants that include the M1 protein. In this work, we present data on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy afforded by VLPs (formed by M1 and HA) after immunization of mice. VLP vaccine ( approximately 1 microg HA) were formulated with or without IL-12 as adjuvant and administered twice, at 2-week intervals, by either intranasal instillation or intramuscular injection. All VLP-vaccinated and influenza-immunized control mice demonstrated high antibody titers to the HA protein; however, intranasal instillation of VLPs elicited antibody titers that were higher than those induced by either intramuscular inoculation of VLPs or intranasal inoculation with two sub-lethal doses of the challenge influenza virus (control group). Antibody responses were enhanced when VLP vaccine was formulated with IL12 as adjuvant. All mice were challenged with 5 LD50 of a mouse-adapted influenza A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) virus. Intramuscular administration of VLP vaccine formulated with or without IL-12 afforded 100% protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Similarly, intranasal instillation of VLP vaccine alone protected 100% of the mice, whereas VLP formulated with IL-12 protected 90% of the vaccinated mice. Not only do these results suggest a novel approach to the development of VLP vaccines for diverse influenza virus strains, but also the creation of multivalent vaccines by decoration of the surface of the VLPs with antigens from other pathogens.

Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Vaccine Conferred Complete Protection against a Lethal Influenza Virus Challenge

We have previously demonstrated the formation and release of influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) from the surface of Sf9 cells infected with either a quadruple baculovirus recombinant that simultaneously expresses the influenza structural proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix 1 (M1) and M2, or a combination of single recombinants that include the M1 protein. In this work, we present data on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy afforded by VLPs (formed by M1 and HA) following immunization of mice. VLP vaccine (approximately 1 microg HA) were formulated with or without IL-12 as adjuvant and administered twice, at two weeks intervals, by either intranasal instillation or intramuscular injection. All VLP-vaccinated and influenza-immunized control mice demonstrated high antibody titers to the HA protein; however, intranasal instillation of VLPs elicited antibody titers that were higher than those induced by either intramuscular inoculation of VLPs or intranasal inoculation with two sub-lethal doses of the challenge influenza virus (control group). Antibody responses were enhanced when VLP vaccine was formulated with IL12 as adjuvant. All mice were challenged with 5 LD50 of a mouse-adapted influenza A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) virus. Intramuscular administration of VLP vaccine formulated with or without IL-12 afforded 100% protection against a lethal influenza virus challenge. Similarly, intranasal instillation of VLP vaccine alone protected 100% of the mice, whereas VLP formulated with IL-12 protected 90% of the vaccinated mice. Not only do these results suggest a novel approach to the development of VLP vaccines for diverse influenza virus strains, but also the creation of multivalent vaccines by decoration of the surface of the VLPs with antigens from other pathogens.

Formation of wild-type and chimeric influenza virus-like particles following simultaneous expression of only four structural proteins

We are studying the structural proteins and molecular interactions required for formation and release of influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) from the cell surface. To investigate these events, we generated a quadruple baculovirus recombinant that simultaneously expresses in Sf9 cells the hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix (M1), and M2 proteins of influenza virus A/Udorn/72 (H3N2). Using this quadruple recombinant, we have been able to demonstrate by double-labeling immunofluorescence that matrix protein (M1) localizes in nuclei as well as at discrete areas of the plasma membrane where HA and NA colocalize at the cell surface. Western blot analysis of cell supernatant showed that M1, HA, and NA were secreted into the culture medium. Furthermore, these proteins comigrated in similar fractions when concentrated supernatant was subjected to differential centrifugation. Electron microscopic examination (EM) of these fractions revealed influenza VLPs bearing surface projections that closely resemble those of wild-type influenza virus. Immunogold labeling and EM demonstrated that the HA and NA were present on the surface of the VLPs. We further investigated the minimal number of structural proteins necessary for VLP assembly and release using single-gene baculovirus recombinants. Expression of M1 protein alone led to the release of vesicular particles, which in gradient centrifugation analysis migrated in a similar pattern to that of the VLPs. Immunoprecipitation of M1 protein from purified M1 vesicles, VLPs, or influenza virus showed that the relative amount of M1 protein associated with M1 vesicles or VLPs was higher than that associated with virions, suggesting that particle formation and budding is a very frequent event. Finally, the HA gene within the quadruple recombinant was replaced either by a gene encoding the G protein of vesicular stomatitis virus or by a hybrid gene containing the cytoplasmic tail and transmembrane domain of the HA and the ectodomain of the G protein. Each of these constructs was able to drive the assembly and release of VLPs, although enhanced recruitment of the G glycoprotein onto the surface of the particle was observed with the recombinant carrying a G/HA chimeric gene. The described approach to assembly of wild-type and chimeric influenza VLPs may provide a valuable tool for further investigation of viral morphogenesis and genome packaging as well as for the development of novel vaccines.

Recombinant-baculovirus-expressed PB2 subunit of the influenza A virus RNA polymerase binds cap groups as an isolated subunit

The influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase catalyzes several reactions in transcription and replication of the genome RNA. The first step in viral mRNA synthesis is the recognition of the 5' end cap structure of host cell hnRNA and the cleavage of the RNA substrate between 10 and 14 nucleotides from the 5' end to generate capped primers for initiation of transcription of virus-specific mRNAs. This report describes the use of an in vitro UV crosslinking and protein renaturation assay to identify the polymerase subunits which interact with the 5' end cap structure of an artificial RNA substrate. Our results showed, for the first time, that purified polymerase subunit PB2 expressed by recombinant baculovirus in insect cells possessed cap-binding activity by itself after renaturation by Escherichia coli thioredoxin, whereas cleavage of the artificial capped substrate required the holoenzyme expressed in insect cells triply-infected with baculovirus containing all three polypeptide components, PB1, PB2, and PA. Purified polyclonal anti-PB2 IgG inhibited the binding activity; anti-PB1 and anti-PA IgGs did not.

Influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase cleaves influenza mRNA in vitro

We have investigated the endonuclease activity of the influenza A virus RNA polymerase in an in vitro assay with an artificial influenza-like mRNA containing a cap structure at its 5' terminus, followed by a 10 nt beta-globin mRNA sequence, and the 5' and 3' conserved termini of a truncated nucleoprotein (NP) cRNA influenza sequence. Results showed that partially purified virion ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) and micrococcal nuclease treated RNPs cleaved the artificial influenza-like mRNA substrate specifically at positions near the 5' terminus to generate capped 14 and 15 nucleotide long RNA fragments which subsequently served as primers to initiate transcription. The endonuclease activity was completely blocked by addition of cap analog and competitively inhibited by added globin mRNA. Furthermore, an in vitro reconstituted influenza RNA transcription reaction containing a truncated NP vRNA as template, micrococcal nuclease treated RNPs and globin mRNA as primer, synthesized capped and uncapped full length (+) sense products. Enzyme kinetics showed that capped RNA was made earlier in the reaction; it reached a peak at 120 min and then declined. However, uncapped cRNA synthesis appeared later and remained as the dominant product later in the reaction. The nature of these products was confirmed by ribonuclease protection assays and by primer extension.

Influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase: analysis of RNA synthesis in vitro

Influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, purified from virion ribonucleoprotein particles and from which endogenous genomic RNA (vRNA) has been depleted by treatment with micrococcal nuclease, was used to study transcription initiation, elongation, and termination in vitro. Templates that contained either minus- or plus-sense influenza virus nucleoprotein minigenes with conserved 5' and 3' termini and the uridylate tract were constructed. The dinucleotide ApG and alfalfa mosaic virus RNA4 (AlMV4) were used as primers. ApG primed the synthesis of full-length positive-strand or cRNA products and shorter transcripts, depending upon the molar ratio between the nucleoprotein and the vRNA template. Sequence analysis of the ends of these transcripts demonstrated that the 5' termini of both transcripts and the 3' terminus of the full-length product were complementary to the 3' and 5' termini of the vRNA template, respectively, whereas the 3' terminus of the incomplete product corresponded to a sequence located 40 bases downstream from the 5' terminus of the template and was about 20 nucleotides downstream from the uridylate tract, which is the putative signal for polyadenylation. Binding of the cap structure of AlMV4 by the polymerase activated RNA synthesis by ligation-elongation of small genomic RNA fragments which were likely derived from a genome segment protected by the polymerase from micrococcal nuclease digestion. The sequence of these fragments mapped to a region 14 to 28 nucleotides upstream of the 3' terminus of the viral genome. Polymerase subunit involvement in transcription initiation with ApG or AlMV4 was characterized by studying the effect of purified polyclonal antisubunit immunoglobulins of the G class (IgGs) in transcription assays. These results showed that anti-PB2 IgG inhibited transcription initiation in both ApG- and AlMV4-primed reactions, whereas anti-PB1 antibodies also blocked transcription initiated with AlMV4. The differences observed in product size, product sequence, and differential inhibition by antisubunit IgGs are discussed. These observations would support the notion that the influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase undergoes a conformational change after the binding of the cap structure of host cell heterogeneous nuclear RNA by PB2, which then usually leads to endonucleolytic cleavage of the capped primer 13 nucleotides downstream from the cap.

Identification of terminal adenylyl transferase activity of the poliovirus polymerase 3Dpol

A terminal adenylyl transferase (TATase) activity has been identified in preparations of purified poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol). Highly purified 3Dpol is capable of adding [32P]AMP to the 3' ends of chemically synthesized 12-nucleotide (nt)-long RNAs. The purified 52-kDa polypeptide, isolated after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and renatured, retained the TATase activity. Two 3Dpol mutants, purified from Escherichia coli expression systems, displayed no detectable polymerase activity and were unable to catalyze TATase activity. Likewise, extracts from the parental E. coli strain that harbored no expression plasmid were unable to catalyze formation of the TATase products. With the RNA oligonucleotide 5'-CCUGCUUUUGCA-3' used as an acceptor, the products formed by wild-type 3Dpol were 9 and 18 nt longer than the 12-nt oligomer. GTP, CTP, and UTP did not serve as substrates for transfer to this RNA, either by themselves or when all deoxynucleoside triphosphates were present in the reaction. Results from kinetic and stoichiometric analyses suggest that the reaction is catalytic and shows substrate and enzyme dependence. The 3'-terminal 13 nt of poliovirus minus-strand RNA also served as an acceptor for TATase activity, raising the possibility that this activity functions in poliovirus RNA replication. The efficiency of utilization and the nature of the products formed during the reaction were dependent on the acceptor RNA.

Influenza A virus NP protein expressed in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus is associated with a protein kinase activity and possesses single-stranded RNA binding activity

Influenza A virus NP protein, the phosphoprotein associated with viral RNA in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, has been expressed at high levels (approximately 100 mg/liter cells) in insect (Sf9) cells by a baculovirus recombinant, and was localized almost entirely in the nuclei of these cells. NP was purified by immuno-affinity chromatography, and purified NP was shown to autophosphorylate and to phosphorylate casein in a cAMP-independent reaction. Furthermore, purified NP was able to bind to ssRNA as demonstrated by a mobility shift of ssRNA in non-denaturing gels. The binding of NP to ssRNA caused a diminution of its kinase activity in proportion to binding.

Influenza A virus in vitro transcription: roles of NS1 and NP proteins in regulating RNA synthesis

To study the mechanisms by which the influenza A virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase switches from transcription to replication we have devised a riboprobe protection technique with which we analyzed the 3' end sequence of (+)-strand RNA products of an in vitro transcription reaction containing purified virion-RNP complexes in the presence and the absence of the putative regulatory proteins NP and NS1. We found that the addition of these proteins did not result in the synthesis of full-length (+)-strand RNA products resulting from read-through of the polyadenylation signal or replication. Because NS1 and NP are both phosphoproteins we searched for protein kinase activity that might play a role in regulating RNA synthesis. We showed that virion RNP complexes phosphorylated NS1 but possessed no autophosphorylating activity. Soluble NP protein derived from RNP complexes did not phosphorylate NS1, but did phosphorylate casein. When NP protein was dephosphorylated, however, it no longer phosphorylated casein. We also showed that NS1 was an ssRNA-binding protein which binds nonspecifically to all ssRNA, and that this activity is not dependent on its state of phosphorylation.