Identification of human annexin A6 as a novel cellular interactant of influenza A M2 protein: implications for influenza life cycle

Background During its replication, influenza virus utilizes the host cellular machineries for many aspects of its life cycle. Characterization of such virus-host protein-protein interactions is a must to identify determinants of pathogenesis. The M2 ion channel protein plays a crucial role during the entry and late stages of the viral life cycle where its C-terminal domain, well conserved among influenza A viruses, is accessible to cellular machineries after fusion with endosomal membrane and during its trafficking along the secretory pathway prior to assembly and budding. The aim of the study is to identify cellular interactants of M2 that play important regulatory roles during influenza infection.