Molecular Basis for High Virulence of Hong Kong H5N1 Influenza A Viruses
Abstract
In 1997, an H5N1 influenza A virus was transmitted from birds to humans in Hong Kong, killing 6 of the 18 people infected. When mice were infected with the human isolates, two virulence groups became apparent. Using reverse genetics, we showed that a mutation at position 627 in the PB2 protein influenced the outcome of infection in mice. Moreover, high cleavability of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein was an essential requirement for lethal infection.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- September 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.1062882
- Bibcode:
- 2001Sci...293.1840H
- Keywords:
-
- VIROLOGY