The appearance of the flu virus is of importance

2002/04/17 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Mikrobiologia
• Osasuna

Influenza virus leaving the cell.

The first studies of these filamentous viruses were carried out in the 50-60 decades of the last century, and later other researchers suggested that their appearance was due to the M1 protein of the outer layer or the M2 protein of the ionic channel.

Researchers from the Reading University of Great Britain have focused on this topic. The team led by microbiologist Wendy Barclay has worked, through genetic engineering, with type A virus, which are responsible for most of the human infections. So they have seen that to have an elongated aspect it is enough to replace the baline with alanine in position 41 of the protein M1. Subsequently, the result of the investigation has been corroborated with wild viruses, since the filamentous had wire at position 41 and the spherical baline.

According to researchers, this small difference influences the way the protein is folded. On the other hand, they have not yet clarified why the filamentous virus has greater pathogenic capacity. It is possible that this way it is easier to cross the membranes of the cells or that this aspect contributes to pasting them. However, the results of these studies will serve to obtain more effective vaccines against the flu.