Molecular Basis for High Virulence of Hong Kong H5N1 Influenza A Viruses

作者：Masato Hatta, Peng Gao, Peter Halfmann, Yoshihiro Kawaoka · 发表于：Science · 年份：2001 · 被引用次数：1352 · 研究领域：Influenza Virus Research Studies、Protein Structure and Dynamics、RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

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.