Solving the mystery of H7N9 by crystal balls.
How the novel influenza H7N9 virus crossed species barrier from avian to human is intriguing. Extrapolation from previous studies on H5N1 can be misleading as illustrated by crystallographic studies on the H7 hemagglutinin with G226L substitution; crystal structure of the neuraminidase N9 showed that R294K substitution interferes with binding to sialic acid or antiviral drugs and reduces viral fitness.
State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Kwok-Yung
KY
Yuen
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D064766:Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype / Q000201:enzymology*; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
D009439:Neuraminidase