GUJJAR N, Chothe SK, Gawai S, Nissly R, et al. Co-expression of sialic acid receptors compatible with avian and human influenza virus binding in emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Virology. 2016 Oct 28;500:114-121
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) continue to threaten animal and human health with constant emergence of novel variants. While aquatic birds are a major reservoir of most IAVs, the role of other terrestrial birds in the evolution of IAVs is becoming increasingly evident. Since 2006, several reports of IAV isolations from emus have surfaced and avian influenza infection of emus can lead to the selection of mammalian like PB2-E627K and PB2-D701N mutants. However, the potential of emus to be co-infected with avian and mammalian IAVs is not yet understood. As a first step, we investigated sialic acid (SA) receptor distribution across major organs and body systems of emu and found a widespread co-expression of both SAα2,3Gal and SAα2,6Gal receptors in various tissues that are compatible with avian and human IAV binding. Our results suggest that emus could allow genetic recombination and hence play an important role in the evolution of IAVs.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- [preprint]In- Silico Evaluation of Matrix Gene RT-PCR Primer and Probe Binding Site Stability in Influenza A H5N1 and Implications for Diagnostic Assay Performance 6 hours ago
- [preprint]Mutational fitness landscapes of diverse human influenza H1N1 neuraminidases 13 hours ago
- [preprint]A modelling challenge to improve preparedness for highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemics: objectives, design and synthetic data generation 13 hours ago
- Influenza A H1N1 Infection Triggers Endothelial Immunothrombosis via TNF-α–Tissue Factor–Thrombin Signaling in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells 14 hours ago
- Antiviral Susceptibility of Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 and H5N5 Influenza Viruses Detected in Birds in Russia During 2021-2022 14 hours ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


