[Neuraminidase of influenza virus]

Neuraminidase or sialidase (EC 3.2.1.18, acylneuraminyl hydrolase) from a strain of the influenza virus A (H3N2), identical to the A/Hong Kong/68 (H3N2) strain, has been purified and characterized by electrofocusing; only about 20% of the previous enzymic activity was lost after electrofocusing. The enzyme activity was measured by the peryodate-thiobarbiturate procedure, by the methoxyphenol-antipyrine method, and by spectrophotometry at 340 nm of the NADH produced in the oxidation of the beta-galactose + NAD+; this beta-galactose was released from lactose by beta-galactosidase; and lactose was liberated from N-acetylneuraminyl-lactose by the neuraminidase activity. The results of the interference by some chemical compounds, which are not true inhibitory agents for the enzyme, on the peryodate-thiobarbiturate reaction are indicated, as well as the detection of other compounds which are true inhibitors of this enzyme in vitro. This neuraminidase was able to release sialic acid with linkages alpha 2-3, alpha 2-6 and alpha 2-8 from several substrates, but with very different efficiency. Natural substrates such as the oligosaccharide N-acetylneuraminyl-lactose, glycoproteins (fetuin, bovine horse brain, colominic acid, and synthetic substrates such as 5-N-acetyl-2-O-(3-methoxyphenyl)-alpha-D-neuraminic acid and 2'-(4-methyl umbellyferil)-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid were hydrolyzed by this enzyme. Finally, the finding of neuraminidase in ovine, equine and porcine platelet is summarized.