A naturally occurring NS1 variant with effector domain deletion gains growth advantages in influenza virus infection.

ABSTRACT: High pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) poses major threats to both poultry health and public safety. The viral nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) plays a crucial role in counteracting innate immunity. NS1 typically consists of approximately 230 amino acids with two domains: an RNA-binding domain (RBD) and the effector domain (ED). A novel naturally occurring NS1 variant, termed NS100, was reported herein, isolated during propagation of a recombinant H5N2 virus. NS100 encodes only the 1-95 residues of NS1, lacking the entire ED. Surprisingly, the NS100 virus replicated as efficiently as the wild-type (WT) virus in both cell and animal models. Cells infected with NS100 exhibited reduced interferon and cytokine expression, indicating preserved immune evasion capacity. Biochemical analyse

SUBMITTER: Tsai RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456053 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature