The influenza C virus glycoprotein (HE) exhibits receptor-binding (hemagglutinin) and receptor-destroying (esterase) activities.
A cDNA copy of RNA segment 4 of influenza C/Cal/78 virus was cloned into an SV40 vector and expressed in CV-1 cells. The gene product expressed from the SV40 recombinant virus was immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies directed against the influenza C virus glycoprotein. Cells infected with the recombinant virus also exhibited C virus-specific hemagglutinin and O-acetylesterase activity. This suggests that the same C virus protein is associated with receptor-binding as well as receptor-destroying activity. The latter viral activity was measured using as substrates bovine submaxillary mucin or a low molecular weight compound p-nitrophenylacetate. In analogy to the parainfluenza virus HN protein, the influenza C virus glycoprotein was termed HE, because it possesses hemagglutinin and esterase (receptor-destroying) activity.
Vlasak
R
R
Department of Microbiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029.
Krystal
M
M
Nacht
M
M
Palese
P
P
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004950:Esterases / Q000235:genetics*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D009982:Gammainfluenzavirus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D004950:Esterases