Influenza Evolution

Robin M. Bush; Nancy J. Cox

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511546259.008

7 - Influenza Evolution

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 August 2009

Robin M. Bush and

Nancy J. Cox

Edited by

Krishna R. Dronamraju

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Robin M. Bush: Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
Nancy J. Cox: Affiliation:
Influenza Branch, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333
Krishna R. Dronamraju: Affiliation:
Foundation for Genetic Research, Houston, Texas

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Summary

THE VIRUS

The influenza viruses are classified in three genera of the family Orthomyxoviridae. The genera are referred to as “types” A, B, and C. The genome, about 14 KB in size, has eight single-stranded RNA segments of negative sense (seven segments in influenza C viruses). The influenza A genome encodes three polymerase proteins (PB1, PB2, and PA); two major surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA); three structural proteins (NP, M1, and M2); and two non-structural proteins involved in nuclear export (NS1 and NS2) (Lamb, 1989). An eleventh open reading frame recently discovered within PB1 appears to code for a protein involved in host cell apoptosis (Chen et al., 2001).

Two surface glycoproteins have been the object of most evolutionary studies of influenza. Hemagglutinin (HA) is involved in binding to host cell surface receptors. Neuraminidase (NA) is necessary for release of daughter virions from host cells. These proteins protrude from the viral envelope and are exposed to host immune defenses. While the HA is the primary target for neutralizing antibodies, antibodies against NA also may reduce occurrence and severity of illness, and possibly prevent infection if present at high titer. The hemagglutinin esterase (HE) in influenza C assumes the functions of both HA and NA. Broad reviews of influenza biology can be found in Murphy and Webster (1996) and Glezen and Couch (1997).

SUBTYPES

Considerable genetic diversity exists among avian influenza A viruses (Webster et al., 1992).

Type: Chapter
Information: Infectious Disease and Host-Pathogen Evolution , pp. 175 - 197

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511546259.008 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2004

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