Proteins of duck influenza virus responsible for acquisition of pathogenicity in chickens

Virus Res. 2013 May;173(2):294-8. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2013.02.001. Epub 2013 Feb 19.

Abstract

Influenza virus rgVac1sub-P0 (H5N1) (rgVac1-P0), in which a pair of dibasic amino acid residues was introduced at the cleavage site of the HA of a reassortant of H5N2 and H7N1 viruses of duck origin, was low pathogenic in chickens. Vac1sub-P3 (H5N1) (Vac1-P3) was selected as a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus by 3 consecutive passages in chickens from low pathogenic strain rgVac1-P0. Comparison of amino acid sequences of the virus proteins and experimental infection of chickens with a series of recombinant viruses demonstrated that in addition to the HA, each of the PA, NP, M1, and M2 of Vac1-P3 are responsible for the acquisition of pathogenicity in chickens. These 4 proteins of Vac1-P3 synergistically contributed to efficient virus replication in chickens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chickens
  • Ducks
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza A Virus, H7N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H7N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H7N1 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza in Birds / pathology
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*
  • Reassortant Viruses / genetics
  • Reassortant Viruses / isolation & purification
  • Reassortant Viruses / pathogenicity*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virulence
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Viral Proteins
  • Virulence Factors