Sequence Analysis of the Influenza Virus Strain A/Shearwater/Australia/1/72 (H6N5)

Abstract

Analysis of the NS and M genes of the archetype H6N5 influenza virus strain A/shearwater/Australia/1/72 shows it to be a typical example of the avian host reservoir, containing Old World/Eurasian internal proteins with divergent surface proteins, which is a potential source of new pandemic strains.

Specific changes in the M1 protein during adaptation of influenza virus to mouse

“…The change at position 227, however, lacks any obvious correlation, being only found in the strain A/Equine/Prague/I/56 [12] Thus, the acquisition of at least one specific amino acid substitution in the M 1 protein (Ala41 ~ Val and/or Thr 139--, Ala) shown to be present in mouse lung adapted strains of influenza, is apparently important for full expression of neurovirulence. The WSN M~ protein has just one of these changes, while the [12], A/Budgerigar/Hokkaido/1/77 (M63536) [12], A/Chicken/Victoria/I/85 (M63523) [12], A/Duck/Czechoslovakia/56 (M63537) [12], A/Equine/Kentucky/2/86 (M63540] [12], A/Equine/Prague/I/56 (M63533) [12], A/Equine/Tennessee/5/86 (M63529) [12], A/Fort Monmouth/I/47 (U02084) [27], A/Fort Monmouth/1/47-mouse adapted (U02463) [27], A/FPV/Dobson/27 (M63526) [12] [12], A/Shearwater/ Australia/I/77 (L25831) [30], A/Swine/29/37 (M63517) [12], A/Swine/Hong Kong/127/82 (M63524) [12], A/Swine/Iowa/17672/88 (M63522) [12], A/Swine/March/52 (M63518) [12], A/Swine/May/54 (M63535) [12] NWS M 1 protein contains both of these changes, which may act as independent virulence determinants for mice. The effect of the third amino acid substitution in the NWS MI protein relative to that of A/WS/33 is unknown.…”