2. Academic Validation
  3. Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Structure and Functions

Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Structure and Functions

  • Front Microbiol. 2019 Jan 29;10:39. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00039.
Julie L McAuley 1,  Brad P Gilbertson 1,  Sanja Trifkovic 1 2,  Lorena E Brown 1,  Jennifer L McKimm-Breschkin 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
  • 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States.
PMID: 30761095 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00039
Abstract

With the constant threat of emergence of a novel Influenza Virus pandemic, there must be continued evaluation of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to virulence. Although the influenza A virus surface glycoprotein neuraminidase (NA) has been studied mainly in the context of its role in viral release from cells, accumulating evidence suggests it plays an important, multifunctional role in virus Infection and fitness. This review investigates the various structural features of NA, linking these with functional outcomes in viral replication. The contribution of evolving NA activity to viral attachment, entry and release of virions from infected cells, and maintenance of functional balance with the viral hemagglutinin are also discussed. Greater insight into the role of this important Antiviral drug target is warranted.

Keywords

HA:NA balance; NA; hemagglutinin; infection; influenza; neuraminidase; sialic acid.

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