Large-scale sequence analysis of M gene of influenza A viruses from different species: mechanisms for emergence and spread of amantadine resistance.

ABSTRACT: Influenza A virus infects many species, and amantadine is used as an antiviral agent. Recently, a substantial increase in amantadine-resistant strains has been reported, most of which have a substitution at amino acid position 31 in the M2 gene. Understanding the mechanism responsible for the emergence and spread of antiviral resistance is important for developing a treatment protocol for seasonal influenza and for deciding on a policy for antiviral stockpiling for pandemic influenza. The present study was conducted to identify the existence of drug pressure on the emergence and spread of amantadine-resistant influenza A viruses. We analyzed data on more than 5,000 virus sequences and constructed a phylogenetic tree to calculate selective pressures on sites in the M2 gene associated with a

SUBMITTER: Furuse Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2764202 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature