Molecular evolution of the six internal genes of H5N1 equine influenza A virus

Arch Virol. 2011 Jul;156(7):1257-62. doi: 10.1007/s00705-011-0966-3. Epub 2011 Mar 23.

Abstract

Phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of the six internal genes of an equine H5N1 influenza A virus isolated in Egypt on 2009 were analyzed using direct sequencing. All of the internal genes of the equine H5N1 strain showed a genetic pattern potentially related to Eurasian lineages. Variable dendrogram topologies revealed an absence of reassortment in the equine strain while confirming its close relatedness to other Egyptian H5N1 strains from human and avian species. The equine strain is characterized by a variety of amino acid substitutions in six internal proteins compared to the available Egyptian H5N1 strains. Interestingly, the equine strain displayed amino acids in the PB2, PA, M2 and NS2 proteins that are unique among the available H5N1 sequences in the flu database, and their potential effect on virulence needs to be further investigated.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Horse Diseases / virology*
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / classification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / genetics*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Phylogeny
  • Viral Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Viral Proteins