Identification of Stabilizing Mutations in an H5 Hemagglutinin Influenza Virus Protein.

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype continue to circulate in poultry in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Recently, outbreaks of novel reassortant H5 viruses have also occurred in North America. Although the number of human infections with highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses continues to rise, these viruses remain unable to efficiently transmit between humans. However, we and others have identified H5 viruses capable of respiratory droplet transmission in ferrets. Two experimentally introduced mutations in the viral hemagglutinin (HA) receptor-binding domain conferred binding to human-type receptors but reduced HA stability. Compensatory mutations in HA (acquired during virus replication in ferrets) were essential to restore HA stability.

SUBMITTER: Hanson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4810667 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature