Intersegment Recombination During Influenza A Virus Replication Gives Rise to a Novel Class of Defective Viral Genomes

TL;DR

This study reveals a new type of defective viral genomes in influenza A virus that arise from recombination between different genome segments, contributing to viral genetic diversity.

Contribution

The discovery of a novel class of multisegment defective viral genomes generated through intersegment recombination in influenza A virus.

Findings

Multisegment defective viral genomes (DVGs) arise from intersegment recombination during influenza A virus replication.

These DVGs can persist through multiple passages and are encapsidated within virions.

Recombination occurs between segments with limited sequence homology, expanding IAV genetic diversity.

Abstract

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a highly diverse pathogen with genetic variability primarily driven by mutation and reassortment. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we characterised defective viral genomes (DVGs) generated during the serial passaging of influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) virus in embryonated chicken eggs. Deletions were the most abundant DVG type, predominantly accumulating in the polymerase-encoding segments. Notably, we identified and validated a novel class of multisegment DVGs arising from intersegment recombination events, providing evidence that the IAV RNA polymerase can detach from one genomic template and resume synthesis on another. Multisegment recombination primarily involved segments 1–3 but also occurred between other segment pairings. In specific lineages, certain multisegment DVGs reached high frequencies and persisted through multiple passages, suggesting they are not transient by-products of recombination but may possess features that support stable maintenance. Furthermore, multisegment DVGs were shown to be encapsidated within virions, similar to deletion DVGs. The observation of recombination between segments with limited sequence homology underscores the potential for complex recombination to expand IAV genetic diversity. These findings suggest recombination-driven DVGs represent a previously underappreciated mechanism in influenza virus evolution.

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