Host restrictions of avian influenza viruses: in silico analysis of H13 and H16 specific signatures in the internal proteins

PLoS One. 2013 Apr 30;8(4):e63270. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063270. Print 2013.

Abstract

Gulls are the primary hosts of H13 and H16 avian influenza viruses (AIVs). The molecular basis for this host restriction is only partially understood. In this study, amino acid sequences from Eurasian gull H13 and H16 AIVs and Eurasian AIVs (non H13 and H16) were compared to determine if specific signatures are present only in the internal proteins of H13 and H16 AIVs, using a bioinformatics approach. Amino acids identified in an initial analysis performed on 15 selected sequences were checked against a comprehensive set of AIV sequences retrieved from Genbank to verify them as H13 and H16 specific signatures. Analysis of protein similarities and prediction of subcellular localization signals were performed to search for possible functions associated with the confirmed signatures. H13 and H16 AIV specific signatures were found in all the internal proteins examined, but most were found in the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and in the nucleoprotein. A putative functional signature was predicted to be present in the nuclear export protein. Moreover, it was predicted that the NS1 of H13 and H16 AIVs lack one of the nuclear localization signals present in NS1 of other AIV subtypes. These findings suggest that the signatures found in the internal proteins of H13 and H16 viruses are possibly related to host restriction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Charadriiformes
  • Computational Biology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Genome, Viral
  • Genomics
  • Host Specificity*
  • Influenza A virus / classification
  • Influenza A virus / physiology*
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Tropism

Substances

  • Viral Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Norwegian Research Council (www.forskningsradet.no) (project number 178275), Animalia Meat and Poultry Research Centre (www.animalia.no) and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (www.mattilsynet.no). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.