Virulence determinants of pandemic influenza viruses
Donna M. Tscherne, Adolfo García-Sastre
Donna M. Tscherne, Adolfo García-Sastre
Published January 4, 2011
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2011;121(1):6-13. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI44947.
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Science in Medicine

Virulence determinants of pandemic influenza viruses

Abstract

Influenza A viruses cause recurrent, seasonal epidemics and occasional global pandemics with devastating levels of morbidity and mortality. The ability of influenza A viruses to adapt to various hosts and undergo reassortment events ensures constant generation of new strains with unpredictable degrees of pathogenicity, transmissibility, and pandemic potential. Currently, the combination of factors that drives the emergence of pandemic influenza is unclear, making it impossible to foresee the details of a future outbreak. Identification and characterization of influenza A virus virulence determinants may provide insight into genotypic signatures of pathogenicity as well as a more thorough understanding of the factors that give rise to pandemics.

Authors

Donna M. Tscherne, Adolfo García-Sastre

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Figure 1

Influenza A virus particle.

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Influenza A virus particle. Three integral membrane proteins, HA, NA, an...
Three integral membrane proteins, HA, NA, and the M2 ion channel, are inserted into the viral lipid envelope. The M1 matrix protein lies beneath the envelope. The viral genome is composed of eight segments of vRNA, coated with NP to form vRNPs. The viral transcriptase complex, containing PB1, PB2, and PA, is associated with each RNP. Small amounts of NEP, encoded from the NS gene, are found in purified virions.