How is sialic acid related to influenza viruses?

Influenza viruses bind to sialic acid (SA) residues that are bound to glycans through α2,3 or α2,6 linkage on the host cells14. The expression of the appropriate host cell receptor to which viral haemagglutinin (HA) can bind is the key determinant of the ability of IAVs to infect a host15.

What nucleic acid does influenza B have?

All influenza viruses consist of single-stranded RNA as opposed to dual-stranded DNA. The RNA genes of influenza viruses are made up of chains of nucleotides that are bonded together and coded by the letters A, C, G and U, which stand for adenine, cytosine, guanine, and uracil, respectively.

What is sialic acid influenza?

Sialic acid linked to glycoproteins and gangliosides is used by many viruses as a receptor for cell entry. These viruses include important human and animal pathogens, such as influenza, parainfluenza, mumps, corona, noro, rota, and DNA tumor viruses.

What is influenza A and B RNA?

Influenza A and B are RNA-containing viruses that frequently infect humans. Currently, sensitive detection of these viruses requires fresh respiratory secretions and special facilities for culture.

Which sugar does influenza bind to?

You can see the individual ‘spikes’ on the virion binding to a structure on the cell. The influenza viral spike that attaches to the cell receptor is the HA protein – hemagglutinin. The cell receptor is sialic acid – a small sugar that is attached to many different proteins on the cell surface.

What binds to sialic acid?

The trimeric viral haemagglutinin protein binds to sialic acid, commonly Neu5Ac, to adhere to host cells. Influenza viruses engage α2,3-linked and α2,6-linked sialic acid attached to a penultimate galactose of the glycan receptor.

What type of cell does influenza B infect?

The influenza virus attacks epithelial cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract, with the potential for secondary bacterial infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

What is Type A flu?

Type A flu or influenza A viruses are capable of infecting animals, although it is more common for people to suffer the ailments associated with this type of flu. Wild birds commonly act as the hosts for this flu virus. Type A flu virus is constantly changing and is generally responsible for the large flu epidemics.

Where does influenza virus bind to neuraminic acid?

Influenza viruses bind to neuraminic acids (sialic acids) on the surface of cells to initiate the entry process25 ( Fig. 1.3 ). Notwithstanding the ubiquitous nature of sialic acids, HAs of influenza viruses infecting different animal species show some preference for particular glycosidic linkages of the receptor.

Where are neuraminic acid derivatives found in the body?

Neuraminic acid does not occur naturally, but many of its derivatives are found widely distributed in animal tissues and in bacteria, especially in glycoproteins and gangliosides. The N – or O -substituted derivatives of neuraminic acid are collectively known as sialic acids, the predominant form in mammalian cells being…

What is the IUPAC symbol for neuraminic acid?

The IUPAC symbol used for neuraminic acid is Neu, and the residue is typically found with additional chemical modifications in biological systems. As a family, these residues are known as sialic acids. For example, N -acetylneuraminic acid, Neu5Ac, is typical in human glycoproteins.

Where is N-acetylneuraminic acid found in the brain?

N -Acetylneuraminic acid. Neu5Ac residues are also found in glycolipids, such as gangliosides, a crucial component of neuronal membranes found in the brain . Along with involvement in preventing infections ( mucus associated with mucous membranes —mouth, nose, GI, respiratory tract), Neu5Ac acts as a receptor for influenza viruses,…