Work

Sequence requirements for cleavage activation of influenza virus hemagglutinin expressed in mammalian cells.

Year: 1988

Type: article

Abstract: Cleavage of the hemagglutinin (HA) in tissue culture systems has been correlated with virulence of avian influenza viruses. To examine the structural requirements for cleavage of the HA, the HA gene from a virulent H5 influenza virus was expressed in mammalian cells (CV-1), and the cleavage site of the HA was explored by using site-specific mutagenesis. The expressed HA protein exhibited normal cleavage, transport to the cell membrane, and ability to adsorb and to fuse erythrocytes at pH 5. Site-specific mutagenesis of the HA directly established that (i) most of the basic amino acids at this site are critical for cleavage activation; (ii) besides the connecting peptide sequence, at least one other structural feature of the HA is required for enzyme recognition; and (iii) the length of the connecting peptide can abrogate the structural feature(s).

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.85.2.324

Authors: Y Kawaoka, R G Webster

Institution: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Influenza Virus Research Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Awards: G1386501374, G1464598122, Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG)