Molecular basis for highly pathogenesis of avian influenza virus in humans.

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Influenza is an example of a disease for which the viral pathogen has emerged into the human population many times over past centuries, sometimes with devastating consequencesIn 1997, an H5N1 influenza A virus was transmitted from birds to humans in Hong Kong, killing 6 out of the 18 people infected. When mice were infected with human isolates, two virulence groups became apparent. Using reverse genetics, we showed that a mutation at position 627 in the PB2 protein influenced the outcome of infection in mice. Moreover, high cleavability of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein was essential requirement for lethal infection.