Evolution of the M gene of the influenza A virus in different host species: large-scale sequence analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Influenza A virus infects not only humans, but also other species including avian and swine. If a novel influenza A subtype acquires the ability to spread between humans efficiently, it could cause the next pandemic. Therefore it is necessary to understand the evolutionary processes of influenza A viruses in various hosts in order to gain better knowledge about the emergence of pandemic virus. The virus has segmented RNA genome and 7th segment, M gene, encodes 2 proteins. M1 is a matrix protein and M2 is a membrane protein. The M gene may be involved in determining host tropism. Besides, novel vaccines targeting M1 or M2 protein to confer cross subtype protection have been under development. We conducted the present study to investigate the evolution of the M gene by ana

SUBMITTER: Furuse Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2694789 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature