title: [Studies on sialidase and esterase in influenza viruses].
abstract: The main contributions of the author and collaborators about sialidase (EC 3.2.1.18) of influenza virus types A and B and O-acetylesterase (EC 3.1.1.53) of type C are summarized. After a short introduction on the topic, the negative results obtained by the author on inhibitors are commented. Then, the peculiarities of the three procedures assayed, based on the NADH determination as a measurement for the sialidase activity, are discussed. The spectrofluorimetric measurement of NADH concentration is a more sensitive and convenient procedure than that by spectrophotometry, although it is less sensitive than that based on bioluminiscence. Sialidase activity is generally higher in influenza virus type A than in type B; however, some differences have been found between the three sub-types A analysed. Furthermore, thermal stability and stability against changes in the pH values are higher for influenza virus from ducks, followed by those from humans and, finally, by those from pigs. O-acetylesterase of influenza virus type C shows a broad specificity; it acts on O-acetyl-containing compounds which may not be sialic acids. It seems that this enzyme might contribute to facilitate the action of sialidase of influenza virus types A and B. The peculiarities of influenza virus type C suggest to include this type as a new genus in the future classification of viruses.
authors.affiliation: Départment de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Faculté de Biologie, Université de Salamanque, Espagne.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cabezas
mesh_terms: D000115:Acetylesterase; D000818:Animals; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D004372:Ducks; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000201:enzymology; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000201:enzymology; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000201:enzymology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000201:enzymology; D009982:Gammainfluenzavirus / Q000201:enzymology; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000032:analysis*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000201:enzymology*; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000201:enzymology; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D000115:Acetylesterase; C046298:sialate O-acetylesterase; D009439:Neuraminidase
vernacular_title: Etudes sur la sialidase et l'estérase des virus de la grippe.