Haemagglutinin mutations responsible for the binding of H5N1 influenza A viruses to human-type receptors

H5N1 influenza A viruses have spread to numerous countries in Asia, Europe and Africa, infecting not only large numbers of poultry, but also an increasing number of humans, often with lethal effects. Human and avian influenza A viruses differ in their recognition of host cell receptors: the former preferentially recognize receptors with saccharides terminating in sialic acid-alpha2,6-galactose (SAalpha2,6Gal), whereas the latter prefer those ending in SAalpha2,3Gal (refs 3-6). A conversion from SAalpha2,3Gal to SAalpha2,6Gal recognition is thought to be one of the changes that must occur before avian influenza viruses can replicate efficiently in humans and acquire the potential to cause a pandemic. By identifying mutations in the receptor-binding haemagglutinin (HA) molecule that would enable avian H5N1 viruses to recognize human-type host cell receptors, it may be possible to predict (and thus to increase preparedness for) the emergence of pandemic viruses. Here we show that some H5N1 viruses isolated from humans can bind to both human and avian receptors, in contrast to those isolated from chickens and ducks, which recognize the avian receptors exclusively. Mutations at positions 182 and 192 independently convert the HAs of H5N1 viruses known to recognize the avian receptor to ones that recognize the human receptor. Analysis of the crystal structure of the HA from an H5N1 virus used in our genetic experiments shows that the locations of these amino acids in the HA molecule are compatible with an effect on receptor binding. The amino acid changes that we identify might serve as molecular markers for assessing the pandemic potential of H5N1 field isolates.     

Detection ofγ-crystallins in the developing amphibian lens by peroxidase-labelled antibodies

Zusammenfassung Antikörper, die entweder mit Fluoresceinisothiocyanat oder mit Peroxidase markiert waren, wurden auf ihre Spezifität im Erkennen von Linsen-Antigenen untersucht. Beide Markierer ergeben gleiche Resultate: die-Kristalline können in den Linsenfaserzellen lokalisiert werden, nicht aber in den Linsenepithelzellen.

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Supported by the Damon Runyon Memorial Fund for Cancer Research, New York; and by the Kredit zur Förderung des akademischen Nachwuchses an der Universität Zürich.

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This research was sponsored by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission under contract with the Union Carbide Corporation.     

Ultrastructural aspects of the pancreatic islets in carps of spontaneous diabetes mellitus

Zusammenfassung Elektronenmikroskopisch konnten in den Langerhansschen Inseln im Pankreas von normalen und diabetischen Fischen bestimmte Typen von Drüsenzellen differenziert werden, nämlich A-, B- und D-Zellen sowie klare Zellen. Bei diabetischen Fischen ist vor allem die sehr starke Vermehrung sogenannter klarer Zellen typisch.     

2,2′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dinaphthyl disulphide (DDD) diazo blue B reactive granules in the parathyroid gland of the rat and toad

Zusammenfassung Granula in Parenchymzellen von Ratten und Kröten-Epithelkörperchen treten durch 2,2-Dihydroxy-6,6-dinaphthyl-disulfid (DDD) Diazo-Blau-B-gefärbt, deutlich hervor. Ihre Menge, Färbbarkeit und Verteilung unter verschiedenen Bedingungen scheinen für die zelluläre Sekretionstätigkeit charakteristisch zu sein.     

D-aspartate oxidase activity and D-aspartate content in a mutant mouse strain lacking D-amino acid oxidase

A mutant mouse strain ddY/DAO- lacks D-amino acid oxidase activity and accumulates free neutral D-amino acids in its tissues. In this study, D-aspartate oxidase activity and D-aspartate content in the tissues of these mutant mice were compared with those of normal mice. No significant difference was observed, indicating that the metabolism of acidic D-amino acids was unaffected in the mutant.     

High secretory activity in the pancreatic B cells of a diabetic strain of the Japanese mouse

Zusammenfassung Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung von B-Zellen der Pankreas eines diabetischen Stammes japanischer Mäuse erbrachte den Hinweis gesteigerter Insulin-Synthese, bzw. gesteigerten Insulin-Ausflusses.     

Expulsion of the placenta from the uterus is the principal initiator for collagen degradation in mouse uterus

In unilaterally pregnant mice, collagen degradation in the non-pregnant uterine horn was not initiated by removal of the fetus only but by removal of both the fetus and placenta. The results indicate that expulsion of the placenta from the uterus is a principal factor in the initiation of the process of collagen degradation simultaneously in the whole uterus.