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Molecular Basis for High Virulence of Hong Kong H5N1 Influenza A Viruses
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Abstract
In 1997, an H5N1 influenza A virus was transmitted from birds to humans in Hong Kong,
killing 6 of the 18 people infected. When mice were infected with the human isolates,
two virulence groups became apparent. Using reverse genetics, we showed that a mutation
at position 627 in the PB2 protein influenced the outcome of infection in mice. Moreover,
high cleavability of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein was an essential requirement for
lethal infection.