Scientists have recently discovered the structure of a key protein in the H5N1 avian influenza virus that could mutate into a deadly strain easily transmitted from human to human.
This significant finding aids scientists in effectively monitoring the genetic mutations of the H5N1 virus and provides early warnings regarding the potential for this virus to evolve for human-to-human transmission.
In a study published in an online science journal on March 16, researchers at the Scripps Research Institute (USA) reported that they have identified the structure of the protein hemagglutinin. This protein enables the avian influenza virus to penetrate host cells, serving as the first antigen on the virus’s surface.
The researchers captured images and analyzed this protein after isolating a sample of the H5N1 virus from a Vietnamese boy who died from avian influenza in 2004.
According to the researchers, the hemagglutinin protein binds to various cell receptors in birds and human influenza, which may explain why most avian influenza viruses do not spread from person to person.
Currently, only three types of avian influenza viruses are capable of causing human influenza pandemics, namely H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2. These three viruses have previously caused pandemics in 1918, 1957, and 1968, resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of people worldwide after their hemagglutinin adapted to the human population.
Researchers found that although the hemagglutinin of the H5N1 virus closely resembles that of H1N1, these variants do not create a virus suitable for human receptors.
However, scientists also noted that some of these variants could allow the hemagglutinin of the H5N1 virus to bind to human lung epithelial cells, giving it a potential foothold within the human community.
T.VY
