Emergence of a C-Terminal Seven-Amino-Acid Elongation of NS1 in Around 1950 Conferred a Minor Growth Advantage to Former Seasonal Influenza A Viruses

作者:Lohrmann Florens; Dijkman Ronald; Stertz Silke; Thiel Volker; Haller Otto; Staeheli Peter; Kochs Georg*
来源:Journal of Virology, 2013, 87(20): 11300-11303.
DOI:10.1128/JVI.01271-13

摘要

Influenza A viruses circulating in humans from similar to 1950 to similar to 1987 featured a nonstructural (NS1) protein with a C-terminal extension of seven amino acids. The biological significance of this NS1 elongation remained elusive. We observed that replication kinetics of the wild-type virus A/Hong Kong/01/68 (H3N2) and a mutant encoding a truncated NS1 were indistinguishable in most experimental systems. However, wild-type virus outcompeted the mutant during mixed infections, suggesting that the NS1 extension conferred minor growth advantages.

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