SUMMARY
Non-structural protein 1 of influenza A virus, NS1A, is a conserved virulence factor comprised of an N-terminal double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding domain (RBD) and a multifunctional C-terminal effector domain (ED), each of which can independently form symmetric homodimers. Here we apply 19F NMR to NS1A from influenza A/Udorn/307/1972 virus (H3N2) labeled with 5-fluorotryptophan (5-F-Trp), and demonstrate that the 19F signal of Trp187 is a sensitive, direct monitor of the ED helix-helix dimer interface. 19F relaxation dispersion data reveal the presence of conformational dynamics within this functionally important protein-protein interface, whose rate is over three orders of magnitude faster than the kinetics of ED dimerization. 19F NMR also affords direct spectroscopic evidence that Trp187, which mediates intermolecular ED:ED interactions required for cooperative dsRNA binding, is solvent exposed in full-length NS1Aat concentrations below aggregation. These results have important implications for the diverse roles of this NS1A epitope during influenza virus infection.