Amino Acid Substitutions That Affect Receptor Binding and Stability of the Hemagglutinin of Influenza A/H7N9 Virus.

Eefje J A Schrauwen1 Mathilde Richard2 David F Burke3 Guus F Rimmelzwaan1 Sander Herfst1 Ron A M Fouchier1
Affiliations 3 institutions
  1. Department of Viroscience, Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  2. Department of Viroscience, Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands [email protected].
  3. Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Receptor-binding preference and stability of hemagglutinin have been implicated as crucial determinants of airborne transmission of influenza viruses. Here, amino acid substitutions previously identified to affect these traits were tested in the context of an A/H7N9 virus. Some combinations of substitutions, most notably G219S and K58I, resulted in relatively high affinity for α2,6-linked sialic acid receptor and acid and temperature stability. Thus, the hemagglutinin of the A/H7N9 virus may adopt traits associated with airborne transmission.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
Amino Acid Substitution 81 Virus Attachment 55 Cell Line 158 Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus 180 Humans 1440 Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype 87 Mutant Proteins 15 Sialic Acids 29 Temperature 7

Evidence records

1 total
Functional Mechanism
1 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type
1 records
OVE2276
Key finding

A/H7N9 virus hemagglutinin substitutions G219S and K58I increase affinity for α2,6-linked sialic acid receptors and enhance acid and temperature stability, indicating molecular adaptations associated with airborne transmission.

Virus
Host
Not specified
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Some combinations of substitutions, most notably G219S and K58I, resulted in relatively high affinity for α2,6-linked sialic acid receptor and acid and temperature stability. Thus, the hemagglutinin of the A/H7N9 virus may adopt traits associated with airborne transmission.

Genes or proteins
hemagglutinin
Receptors
α2,6-linked sialic acid receptor
Mutations
G219S | K58I
Mechanism types
receptor binding | host-range expansion | transmission fitness