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Related Concept Videos

Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...

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In Vitro Disassembly of Influenza A Virus Capsids by Gradient Centrifugation
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Influenza viruses: breaking all the rules.

Jeffery K Taubenberger1, David M Morens

  • 1Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. taubenbergerj@niaid.nih.gov

Mbio
|July 18, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Influenza A viruses (IAV) constantly evolve and spread between species, posing public health risks. Studying these natural "dual use experiments" is vital for preventing future pandemics.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Influenza A viruses (IAV) are significant pathogens with broad host ranges, infecting avian and mammalian species, including humans.
  • The unpredictable evolution and interspecies transmission of IAV present ongoing public health challenges, exemplified by past and potential future pandemics (e.g., H1N1, H5N1, H7N9).
  • Concerns regarding
  • dual use research of concern
  • (DURC) have led to specific guidelines for potentially hazardous microbiological research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reframe the concept of
  • dual use experiments
  • within the context of natural viral evolution.
  • To highlight the critical importance of studying IAV's inherent
  • dual use
  • properties for pandemic preparedness.

Main Methods:

  • This perspective reviews the evolutionary dynamics of Influenza A viruses.
  • It analyzes the natural processes of viral adaptation and host switching.
  • It contextualizes these natural events within the framework of
  • dual use research of concern
  • guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Influenza A viruses naturally undergo processes analogous to
  • dual use experiments
  • through evolution and natural selection.
  • IAV's capacity for host jumping and adaptation is a continuous, naturally occurring phenomenon.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the evolutionary mechanisms driving IAV's
  • dual use
  • characteristics is essential.
  • Studying these natural viral properties is critical for developing effective strategies to mitigate and prevent future epidemics and pandemics.