Surface glycoproteins determine the feature of the 2009
pandemic H1N1 virus
Authors
Jin Il Kim1,2,#, Ilseob Lee1,2,#, Sehee Park1,2,# & Man-Seong Park1,2,*
Institutions
1Department of Microbiology,
2Center for Medical Science Research, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 200-702, Korea
Abstract
After the outbreak of the swine-origin influenza A H1N1 virus in
April 2009, World Health Organization declared this novel
H1N1 virus as the first pandemic influenza virus (2009 pH1N1)
of the 21st century. To elucidate the characteristics of 2009
pH1N1, the growth properties of A/Korea/01/09 (K/09) was analyzed
in cells. Interestingly, the maximal titer of K/09 was higher
than that of a seasonal H1N1 virus isolated in Korea 2008 (S/08)
though the RNP complex of K/09 was less competent than that of
S/08. In addition, the NS1 protein of K/09 was determined as a
weak interferon antagonist as compared to that of S/08. Thus, in
order to confine genetic determinants of K/09, activities of two
major surface glycoproteins were analyzed. Interestingly, K/09
possesses highly reactive NA proteins and weak HA cell-binding
avidity. These findings suggest that the surface glycoproteins
might be a key factor in the features of 2009 pH1N1.
