The presence of two neuraminidases in an influenza virus

Can J Microbiol. 1980 Feb;26(2):243-9. doi: 10.1139/m80-037.

Abstract

The wild type influenza strain A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2), when disrupted with SDS and electrophoresed on cellulose acetate paper, yielded two separate neuraminidases, NA(H+) and NA(H-). These enzymes after extraction were biologically active and possessed different specific activities. Enzyme NA(H+) possessed neuraminidase as well as hemagglutinin activities whereas enzyme NA(H-) demonstrated only neuraminidase activity. Similar results were obtained when the Aichi strain was treated with Tween-ether and the two enzymes were separated by affinity chromatography. Techniques used failed to separate the hemagglutinin activity from neuraminidase NA(H+). These results suggest that the dual activity present in enzyme NA(H+) may be characteristic of this protein. Both enzymes are antigenically different and are apparently present as distinct entities in the Aichi strain. Experiments showed that only enzyme NA(H-) of the Aichi strain was incorporated into the hybrid X-32 virus during genetic recombination.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Electrophoresis, Cellulose Acetate
  • Epitopes
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A virus / enzymology*
  • Influenza A virus / immunology
  • Neuraminidase / immunology
  • Neuraminidase / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral
  • Neuraminidase