Enzymological characteristics of avian influenza A virus neuraminidase.

Abstract

Neuraminidases of 18 strains of avian influenza A virus were examined by both colorimetric and fluorometric assays using fetuin and 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-Ac-alpha-D-neuraminide as substrates, respectively, to compare them with those of human influenza A and B viruses. The ratios of the neuraminidase activity of avian influenza virus measured by the colorimetric assay method to that measured by the fluorometric assay were distributed in the range of 2.4-20.3. The enzyme of avian influenza virus showed calcium-ion dependence in both assay methods. These results suggest that neuraminidase of avian influenza A virus is varies greatly from one strain to another in substrate specificity as compared with those of human influenza A and B viruses, and that some strains of avian influenza A virus have a neuraminidase with unique enzymological characteristics different from that of human influenza A virus as well as that of influenza B virus.

• Authors: K Kiyotani, N Takei, M Senoo, S Takao, K Otsuki, M Tsubokura, T Yoshida
• Journal: Microbiology and immunology (Microbiol Immunol) Vol. 31 Issue 11 Pg. 1131-5 ( 1987) ISSN: 0385-5600 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 2451112 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Epitopes
• Edetic Acid
• Neuraminidase

Topics

• Colorimetry
• Edetic Acid (pharmacology)
• Epitopes
• Fluorometry
• Influenza A virus (enzymology)
• Neuraminidase (metabolism)
• Species Specificity
• Substrate Specificity