Researchers from the University of California at San Diego have created a computer model of the H1N1 virus on an atomic
The main targets of the influenza vaccineare two surface glycoproteins - hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). While the HA protein helps the virus bind to the host cell, NA acts like scissors. It cuts off HA from the cell membrane, allowing the virus to replicate. Although the properties of both glycoproteins are already known to scientists, much remains unknown in how they move.
Traditionally, influenza vaccines have targeted"head" of the HA protein based on still images. On them, he looks tight and inactive. However, the new model showed the dynamic nature of HA and "breathing" movement. Thanks to him, scientists noticed a previously unknown part of the immune response.
The data will be useful to learn more aboutmovement, growth and development of the influenza virus and, as a result, to create a universal vaccine against the virus. “We are mainly interested in HA and NA, but there are other proteins, the M2 ion channel, membrane interactions, glycans and many other objects and aspects that are worth studying,” the scientists conclude.
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On the cover: computer simulation of the H1N1 influenza virus
Credit: Lorenzo Casalino / Amaro Laboratory / UC San Diego