Neuraminic acid is involved in the binding of influenza C virus to erythrocytes.
Neuraminidases of both viral and bacterial origin have been reported to be unable to destroy the cellular receptor for influenza C virus on chicken erythrocytes, in contrast to the receptors for influenza A and B virus. However, under appropriate conditions neuraminidases from both Vibrio cholerae and Clostridium perfringens were able (i) to make chicken red blood cells resistant against agglutination by influenza C virus and (ii) to reduce the hemagglutination-inhibiting activity of rat serum. Both effects were abolished in the presence of the neuraminidase inhibitor 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxyneuraminic acid (DDN). These results indicate that contrary to previous assumptions sialic acid may very well be an essential component of the receptor for influenza C virus.
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D009438:Neuraminic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D009439:Neuraminidase; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000378:metabolism*; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000378:metabolism*
D009438:Neuraminic Acids; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D009439:Neuraminidase