[The origin of the genetic variability of influenza viruses].
To better understand the significant variability displayed by influenza viruses, we need to be aware not only of its genetic characteristics, but also of the effect this genetic makeup has on proteins associated with viral replication and antigenicity. The origin of such diversity is due first and foremost to its segmented genome that allows segment reassortment (antigenic shift) and second to the error prone viral polymerase (antigenic drift) responsible of copying the genes enclosed in these segments. These two combined mechanisms confer a genetic plasticity that often leads to the emergence of new influenza viruses in nature.
Departamento de Inmunología, Genética Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, DF México. maisabelsalazar@gmail.com
Ma Isabel
MI
Salazar
Orestes
O
López-Ortega
Gloria
G
León-Avila
José Ernesto
JE
Ramírez-Gónzalez
María Eugenia
ME
Castro-Mussot
D000818:Animals; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006801:Humans; D029521:Alphainfluenzavirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D029524:Betainfluenzavirus / Q000235:genetics; D009982:Gammainfluenzavirus / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D056189:Viral Tropism; D014779:Virus Replication; D017201:Virus Shedding