Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
07:06
Prediction of HIV-1 Coreceptor Usage (Tropism) by Sequence Analysis using a Genotypic Approach
Published on: December 1, 2011
Computational Structural Analysis Predicts Host-Range Promiscuity and Antiviral Resistance in North American H5N1
Sayal Guirales-Medrano1,2, Kary Ocaña3,4, Khaled Obeid1,2
1Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
|May 11, 2026
Summary
The H5N1 influenza A virus is spreading in North America, infecting birds, mammals, and humans. This adaptable virus evades immune systems and shows potential drug resistance, causing an animal pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Influenza A virus H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) has a long history in Eurasian birds but sporadic human infections.
- Recent H5N1 outbreaks in North America have affected numerous bird and mammal species, with documented human cases and fatalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the circulation and host adaptation of H5N1 in North America.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms behind H5N1's expanded host range and immune evasion.
Main Methods:
- Time-series analysis to identify seasonal patterns.
- Molecular phylogenetics to track viral lineages.
- Structural biology to analyze protein interactions.
Main Results:
- H5N1 exhibits a seasonal pattern in the US (November-April) with increased cases since 2021.
- Two distinct H5N1 lineages are circulating in North America, possessing broad host-binding capabilities.
- Enhanced binding to host immune proteins by viral polymerase basic 2 protein facilitates replication and immune evasion.
Conclusions:
- H5N1 is undergoing an animal pandemic due to its promiscuous host range and enhanced immune evasion.
- Most antivirals remain effective, but a fatal human isolate showed reduced susceptibility to some drugs.
- Continued surveillance and research are crucial for managing H5N1 spread and adaptation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:36Viral 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...
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...