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Virology

Host protein clips bird flu's wings in mammals

Nature volume 529, pages 30–31 (2016)Cite this article

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The polymerase enzyme from avian influenza A viruses does not function well in human cells. The protein ANP32A has been identified as the cellular factor mediating a major component of this host restriction. See Letter p.101

Influenza A viruses circulate in diverse natural hosts, including mammalian and avian species. Yet transmission of these viruses between mammals and birds occurs only rarely, owing to host restriction: an influenza A virus that is adapted to an avian host typically does not grow well in a mammalian host, and vice versa. When such restrictions are overcome and an avian virus transmits to humans, a pandemic can occur. On page 101 of this issue, Long et al.1 report a breakthrough in understanding the restriction of avian influenza viruses in mammals.

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Figure 1: A cellular factor for host restriction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anice C. Lowen is in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.,

    Anice C. Lowen

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  1. Anice C. Lowen
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Correspondence to Anice C. Lowen.

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Influenza: Pathways to human adaptation

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Lowen, A. Host protein clips bird flu's wings in mammals. Nature 529, 30–31 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/529030a

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