home   genetic news   bioinformatics   biotechnology   literature   journals   ethics   positions   events   sitemap
 
  HUM-MOLGEN -> Genetic News | search  
 

H5N1 Structure Reveals Focus of Viral Replication

 
  February, 18 2009 7:57
your information resource in human molecular genetics
 
     

A key region of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that is involved in viral replication is revealed in two Nature papers. The subunit could prove an important target for new anti-influenza drugs.

The avian influenza A virus contains an enzyme called RNA polymerase that directs the replication and transcription of viral RNA inside the nuclei of infected cells. Separate teams, lead by Stephen Cusack and Zihe Rao, analysed the crystal structure of one of the enzyme's three subunits, called PA, and found it to have strong endonuclease activity-host messenger RNA binds to the endonuclease site where it is cleaved, triggering the production of viral messenger RNA.

The H5N1 subtype of the avian influenza A virus is entrenched in poultry worldwide and poses a growing threat to human health. Of the 387 reported human cases of avian influenza since 2003, 245 have been fatal. Understanding how the virus replicates is essential for researchers to develop new anti-influenza therapeutics to increase preparedness against a global influenza pandemic.

CONTACT

Stephen Cusack (European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Grenoble, France) Author paper [1]
E-mail: cusack@embl.fr

Zihe Rao (Tsinghua University, Beijing, China) Author paper [2]
E-mail: raozh@xtal.tsinghua.edu.cn

Yingfang Liu (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China) Co-author paper [2]
E-mail: liuy@ibp.ac.cn

Abstracts available online:
Paper [1] Abstract.
Paper [2] Abstract.

(C) Nature press release.


Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza

print this article mail this article
Latest News
Variants Associated with Pediatric Allergic Disorder

Mutations in PHF6 Found in T-Cell Leukemia

Genetic Risk Variant for Urinary Bladder Cancer

Antibody Has Therapeutic Effect on Mice with ALS

Regulating P53 Activity in Cancer Cells

Anti-RNA Therapy Counters Breast Cancer Spread

Mitochondrial DNA Diversity

The Power of RNA Sequencing

‘Pro-Ageing' Therapy for Cancer?

Niche Genetics Influence Leukaemia

Molecular Biology: Clinical Promise for RNA Interference

Chemoprevention Cocktail for Colon Cancer

more news ...

Generated by News Editor 2.0 by Kai Garlipp
WWW: Kai Garlipp, Frank S. Zollmann.
7.0 © 1995-2023 HUM-MOLGEN. All rights reserved. Liability, Copyright and Imprint.