Homology Modelling and Insilico Analysis of Hemagglutinin Protein From H1N1 Influenza A Virus
Homology Modelling and Insilico Analysis of Hemagglutinin Protein From H1N1 Influenza A Virus
Homology Modelling and Insilico Analysis of Hemagglutinin Protein From H1N1 Influenza A Virus
Introduction
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, identified in
April 2009 and commonly referred to as swine flu, which infects and is transmitted between humans. It is
thought to be a mutation—more specifically, a reassortment—of four known strains of influenza A virus
subtype H1N1: one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). Swine
influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection of a host animal by any one of several
specific types of microscopic organisms called "swine influenza virus". A June 10, 2009 update by the U.N.'s
World Health Organization (WHO) states that "74 countries have officially reported 27,737 cases of influenza A
(H1N1) infection, including 141 deaths".
WHO officially declared the outbreak to be a "pandemic" on June 11, but stressed that the new designation was
a result of the global "spread of the virus," not its severity. The WHO stated the pandemic appears to have
moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, however it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the
virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical
problems.The case fatality rate (CFR) of the pandemic strain is estimated at 0.4% (range 0.3%-1.5%)
A swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is usually hosted by (is
endemic in) pigs.[1] As of 2009, the known SIV strains are the influenza C virus and the subtypes of the
influenza A virus known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. Swine influenza is common in pigs in the
United States (particularly in the midwest and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America,
Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, and eastern Asia (namely China, Taiwan,
and Japan).[1]
The 2009 swine flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that contains
genes closely related to swine influenza.[2] The origin of this new strain is unknown. However, the World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that this strain has not been isolated in pigs.[3] This strain can be
transmitted from human to human, and causes the normal symptoms of influenza.[6]Pigs can become infected
with human influenza, and this appears to have happened during the 1918 flu pandemic and the 2009 swine flu
outbreak.
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Virus characteristics
The virus is a novel strain of influenza from which human populations have been neither vaccinated nor
naturally immunized. The CDC, after examining virus samples from suspected cases in Mexico, matched the
strain with those from cases in Texas and California, and found no known linkages to either to animals or one
another. It was also determined that the strain contained genes from four different flu viruses: North American
swine influenza; North American avian influenza; human influenza; and two swine influenza viruses typically
found in Asia and Europe. Further analysis showed that several of the proteins of the virus are most similar to
strains that cause mild symptoms in humans, leading virologist Wendy Barclay to suggest on May 1 that the
virus was unlikely to cause severe symptoms for most people. Scientists in Winnipeg completed the first full
genetic sequencing of the virus on 6 May 2009.
Influenza A
Swine influenza is known to be caused by influenza A subtypes H1N1,[4] H1N2,[4] H3N1,[4] H3N2,[5] and
H2N3.[5] In pigs, three influenza A virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2) are the most common strains
worldwide.[5] In the United States, the H1N1 subtype was exclusively prevalent among swine populations before
1998; however, since late August 1998, H3N2 subtypes have been isolated from pigs. As of 2004, H3N2 virus
isolates in US swine and turkey stocks were triple reassortants, containing genes from human (HA, NA, and
PB1), swine (NS, NP, and M), and avian (PB2 and PA) lineages. [7]
Virus origins
In early June, Oxford University's Department of Zoology, reported test results that "show that this strain has
been circulating among pigs, possibly among multiple continents, for many years prior to its transmission to
humans." The research team that worked on this report also believe that it was "derived from several viruses
circulating in swine," and that the initial transmission to humans occurred several months before recognition of
the outbreak. The team concluded that "despite widespread influenza surveillance in humans, the lack of
systematic swine surveillance allowed for the undetected persistence and evolution of this potentially pandemic
strain for many years."
According to the researchers, movement of live pigs between Eurasia and North America "seems to have
facilitated the mixing of diverse swine influenza viruses, leading to the multiple reassortment events associated
with the genesis of the (new H1N1) strain. [8]
Transmission of swine influenza virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always cause human
influenza, often only resulting in the production of antibodies in the blood. The meat of the animal poses no risk
of transmitting the virus when properly cooked. If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic
swine flu. People who work with pigs, especially people with intense exposures, are at increased risk of catching
swine flu. In the mid-20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became possible, which allows accurate
diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, fifty confirmed transmissions have been recorded, Rarely,
these strains of swine flu can pass from human to human. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to
those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe
headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. [9]
Influenza hemagglutinin
Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) is a type of hemagglutinin found on the surface of the influenza viruses. It is an
antigenic glycoprotein. It is responsible for binding the virus to the cell that is being infected.The name
"hemagglutinin" comes from the protein's ability to cause red blood cells (erythrocytes) to clump together
("agglutinate") in vitro
Subtypes
There are at least 16 different HA antigens. These subtypes are labeled H1 through H16.
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1. allowing the recognition of target vertebrate cells, accomplished through the binding of these cells'
sialic acid-containing receptors, and
2. allowing the entry of the viral genome into the target cells by causing the fusion of host endosomal
membrane with the viral membrane.
Mechanism
HA binds to the monosaccharide sialic acid which is present on the surface of its target cells. This causes the
viral particles to stick to the cell's surface. The cell membrane then engulfs the virus and the portion of the
membrane that encloses it pinches off to form a new membrane-bound compartment within the cell called an
endosome, which contains the engulfed virus. The cell then attempts to begin digesting the contents of the
endosome by acidifying its interior and transforming it into a lysosome. However, as soon as the pH within the
endosome drops to about 6.0, the original folded structure of the HA molecule becomes unstable, causing it to
partially unfold, and releasing a very hydrophobic portion of its peptide chain that was previously hidden within
the protein. This so-called "fusion peptide" acts like a molecular grappling hook by inserting itself into the
endosomal membrane and locking on. Then, when the rest of the HA molecule refolds into a new structure
(which is more stable at the lower pH), it "retracts the grappling hook" and pulls the endosomal membrane right
up next to the virus particle's own membrane, causing the two to fuse together. Once this has happened, the
contents of the virus, including its RNA genome, are free to pour out into the cell's cytoplasm.
Treatment
Antiviral drugs
According to the CDC, antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill. These antiviral drugs
are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) and act against influenza viruses, including the 2009
pandemic virus. There are two such medications that are recommended for use against the 2009 H1N1 swine flu
virus, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). [10] The CDC has noted that as the flu pandemic spreads,
antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) might become in short supply. Therefore,
the drugs would be given first to those people who have been hospitalized or are at high risk of complications.
[11]
The drugs work best if given within 2 days of becoming ill, but might be given later if illness became severe
or to those at a high risk for complications.
>MKAILVVLLYTFATANADTLCIGYHANNSTDTVDTVLEKNVTVTHSVNLLEDKHNGKLCKLRGVAP
LHLGKCNIAGWILGNPECESLSTASSWSYIVETSSSDNGTCYPGDFIDYEELREQLSSVSSFERFEIFPKTS
SWPNHDSNKGVTAACPHAGAKSFYKNLIWLVKKGNSYPKLSKSYINDKGKEVLVLWGIHHPSTSADQ
QSLYQNADAYVFVGSSRYSKKFKPEIAIRPKVRDQEGRMNYYWTLVEPGDKITFEATGNLVVPRYAFA
MERNAGSGIIISDTPVHDCNTTCQTPKGAINTSLPFQNIHPITIGKCPKYVKSTKLRLATGLRNVPSIQSRG
LFGAIAGFIEGGWTGMVDGWYGYHHQNEQGSGYAADLKSTQKAIDEITNKVNSVIEKMNTQFTAVGK
EFNHLEKRIENLNKKVDDGFLDIWTYNAELLVLLENERTLDYHDSNVKNLYEKVRSQLKNNAKEIGNG
CFEFYHKCDNTCMESVKNGTYDYPKYSEEAKLNREEIDGVKLESTRIYQILAIYSTVASSLVLVVSLGAI
SFWMCSNGSLQCRICI
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Figure 2: GOR IV secondary structure prediction of Hemagglutinin protein of H1N1 Influenza virus.
Figure 3: Amino acid frequency plot of Hemagglutinin protein of H1N1 Influenza virus.
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CONCLUSION
Novel H1N1 (Referred to as “Swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new
virus was first detected in people in the united states in April 2009. A June 10, 2009 update by the U.N.'s World
Health Organization (WHO) states that 74 countries have officially reported 27,737 cases of influenza A
(H1N1) infection, including 141 deaths. Two anti-influenza drugs currently being used to treat infected patients
are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), both of which target the Neraminidase enzyme of the virus.
Reports of the emergence of drug resistance make the development of new anti-influenza molecules a priority.
This project aimed at designing structure of Hemagglutinin of H1N1 which will be useful for designing novel
Hemagglutinin inhibitors which will help to combat H1N1 Pandemic.
References
[1] 1."Swine influenza". The Merck Veterinary Manual. 2008.
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[2] V Trifonov, H Khiabanian, B Greenbaum, R Rabadan (30 April 2009). "The origin of the recent swine influenza A(H1N1) virus
infecting humans". Eurosurveillance 4 (17).
[3] Maria Zampaglione (April 29, 2009). "Press Release: A/H1N1 influenza like human illness in Mexico and the USA: OIE
statement". World Organisation for Animal Health. http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_090427.htm. Retrieved on April 29, 2009.
[4] Shin JY, Song MS, Lee EH, Lee YM, Kim SY, Kim HK, Choi JK, Kim CJ, Webby RJ, Choi YK (2006). "Isolation and
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[7] Gramer Marie René, Lee Jee Hoon, Choi Young Ki, Goyal Sagar M, Joo Han Soo (July 2007). "Serologic and genetic
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[8] Lindstrom Stephen E, Cox Nancy J, Klimov Alexander (15 October 2004). "Genetic analysis of human H2N2 and early H3N2
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[9] Kimura K, Adlakha A, Simon PM (March 1998). "Fatal case of swine influenza virus in an immunocompetent host". Mayo
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[10] Antonovics J, Hood ME, Baker CH (April 2006). "Molecular virology: was the 1918 flu avian in origin?". Nature 440.
[11] Olsen CW (May 2002). "The emergence of novel swine influenza viruses in North America". Virus Research 85 (2): 199–210.
[12] Khot S.S., Gomase V.S., Chavan V.M., Hasabe R.P., Ingale A.G., Chikhale N.G.,
[13] 2004: Structural analysis and comparative modeling of Auxin binding protein
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