Anti-Seasonal and Swine H1N1 Neuraminidase antibody

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

The protein known as Seasonal and Swine H1N1 Neuraminidase often referred to simply as neuraminidase plays a significant mechanical role in the influenza virus life cycle. Neuraminidase is an integral membrane protein with a molecular mass that varies between different viral strains but is typically around 60 kDa. It is expressed on the surface of influenza viral particles where it facilitates viral release from infected host cells by cleaving sialic acid residues from glycoproteins and glycolipids. This enzymatic action enables mature virions to detach from the host cell promoting further spread of the infection to neighboring cells.

Biological function summary

The neuraminidase protein acts as a sialidase catalyzing the hydrolysis of terminal sialic acid residues. This protein functions as part of a tetramer complex on the viral envelope where its activity complements that of hemagglutinin another surface protein. While hemagglutinin allows the virus to attach to the host cell by binding to sialic acid neuraminidase enables the virus to release and spread by cleaving these same residues post-replication. This balance between attachment and release is important for optimal viral propagation and infection cycle continuation.

Pathways

Neuraminidase activity intersects in the host cell pathways involved in glycan modification and processing. Neuraminidase contributes to the process known as glycan degradation where the removal of sialic acid groups modulates cell-surface molecule interactions. This protein and its functional counterpart hemagglutinin are central to the viral replication pathway and the overall influenza infection pathway. Both proteins coordinate their activities to ensure efficient viral entry and exit from host cells underpinning the infectious cycle of the virus.

Associated diseases and disorders

Neuraminidase has a critical role in influenza infections such as seasonal flu and swine flu (H1N1). Inhibitors targeting neuraminidase are key therapeutic agents aimed at reducing viral load by effectively preventing the release of new viral particles. Oseltamivir and zanamivir serve as examples of neuraminidase inhibitors used in treating influenza. Neuraminidase connects directly with hemagglutinin during the infection process forming a target for vaccine development and antiviral drug design to combat influenza epidemics and pandemics.