Role of amino acid residues at positions 322 and 329 of hemagglutinin in virulence of H5N1 avian influenza virus / 病毒学报

Two H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV), A/mallard/Huadong/S/2005 (S, IVPI = 2.65, in mallard) and A/mallard/Huadong/Y/2003 (Y, IVPI = 0, in mallard), were capable of distinct in pathogenicity to non-immunized mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). There were two amino acid residues difference in the HA cleavage site between two viruses, 322 (S, Leu; Y, Gln) and 329 (S, deletion; Y, Lys). Based on the variation, a series of recombinant viruses carrying HA gene either from S or Y virus with mutation at 322 and/or 329 were constructed via reverse genetics system to explore the influence of the two amino acid residues on viral pathogenicity in mallards. Recombinant viruses with S virus backbone were completely attenuated in terms of their virulence to ducks when position 322 (L322Q) and/or position 329 (-329K) of HA gene had been mutated. The critical role that L322 and -329 of HA protein from S virus play in the high virulence to ducks were influenced by the entire background of that protein because the recombinant virus with HA gene from Y and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated even if Q322L and K329- mutations of HA gene had been achieved. Recombinant viruses with Y virus backbone significantly increased their virulence to ducks when position 322 (Q322L) and/or position 329 (K329-) of HA gene had been mutated. All recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with Q322L and/or K329-mutations and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated in terms of virulence to ducks whereas all recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with same mutations and other seven genes from Y gained significant virulence. It seems that the compatibility among eight genes might be an important factor for HA to exert its functions. Results indicated that the mutation at amino acid position 322 and deletion at 329 in HA cleavage site significantly influence the pathogenicity of S and Y viruses in mallard, the compatibility among eight genes also contribute to the pathogenicity of both viruses in mallard.

Deletion of Nucleotides of NS Gene from 263 to 277 Decreases the Viral Anti-IFN Ability of H5N1 / 微生物学通报

Since 2000,most of H5N1 subtype influenza A virus had a unique mutation of NS gene with 15base pair deletion from 263 to 277. In order to investigate the bio-characteristics of this mutation,two different NS recombinants,RWSN-248 and RWSN-m248,were generated via plasmid rescue from A/WSN/33(H1N1) and A/SD/04(H5N1). RWSN-248 had a higher viral titer than RWSN-m248 in MDCK and COS-1 cells that have an IFN response,but they had the similar growth ability in Vero cells that lack an IFN response. Both of two recombinants grew well in embryonated chicken eggs and had the similar viral titer and MDT. The results above revealed that the deletion from 263 to 277 sites of NS gene did not influence viral virulence to but decreased viral anti-IFN ability of H5N1.