Authors: Ben Hudjetz, Gülsah Gabriel
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002488
Abstract Summary
Human importin-α proteins (α1 and α7) selectively boost human-adapted influenza virus replication while having no effect on avian strains. These host factors enhance viral polymerase activity and pathogenicity beyond their known nuclear transport role, potentially explaining why some flu viruses successfully jump from birds to humans.
Why Brain? 🧠
Study reveals importin-α1 and α7 proteins specifically enhance human-adapted influenza virus replication but not bird flu, explaining why certain flu strains jump to humans and cause pandemics.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
