Characterization of hemagglutinin gene of influenza A virus subtype H9N2.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the origin of human influenza A (H9N2) virus and the relationship among H9N2 strains isolated from different hosts, on the basis of molecular biology.


METHODS
Viruses were passed in embryonated hen eggs, and virion RNA was extracted from allantoic fluid and reverse transcribed to synthesize cDNA. cDNA was amplified by PCR and the PCR product was purified with a purification kit. Afterwards RNA sequence analysis was performed by dideoxynucleotide chain termination and a cloning method. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of the sequencing data was performed with MegAlign (version 1.03) and Editseg (version 3.69) softwares.


RESULTS
The amino acid sequences at the cleavage site between HA1 and HA2 domains of H9N2 viruses isolated in China are R-S-S-R. One pigeon strain contains seven potential glycosylation sites on the HA protein molecule, while all others have eight. There are 2 to 15 differences of amino acid sequences distributed at 24 different positions on the HA protein molecules among six H9N2 viruses. The H9N2 viruses with multiple lineages of HA genes were co-circulating in China recently.


CONCLUSIONS
The highest possibility is that human influenza A (H9N2) virus was derived from Chicken H9N2 virus, and not derived from pigeon H9N2 virus. However, it is still unknown whether the H9N2 virus could transmit from person to person. The H9N2 viruses with multiple lineages of HA genes are co-circulating in China.
Guo
Y
Y
Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing 100052, China.
Dong
J
J
Wang
M
M
Zhang
Y
Y
Guo
J
J
Wu
K
K
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D053127:Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny
D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus