High-throughput identification of compounds targeting influenza RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity

As influenza viruses have developed resistance towards current drugs, new inhibitors that prevent viral replication through different inhibitory mechanisms are useful. In this study, we developed a screening procedure to search for new antiinfluenza inhibitors from 1,200,000 compounds and identified previously reported as well as new antiinfluenza compounds. Several antiinfluenza compounds were inhibitory to the influenza RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), including nucleozin and its analogs. The most potent nucleozin analog, 3061 (FA-2), inhibited the replication of the influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus in MDCK cells at submicromolar concentrations and protected the lethal H1N1 infection of mice. Influenza variants resistant to 3061 (FA-2) were isolated and shown to have the mutation on nucleoprotein (NP) that is distinct from the recently reported resistant mutation of Y289H [Kao R, et al. (2010) Nat Biotechnol 28:600]. Recombinant influenza carrying the Y52H NP is also resistant to 3061 (FA-2), and NP aggregation induced by 3061 (FA-2) was identified as the most likely cause for inhibition. In addition, we identified another antiinfluenza RdRP inhibitor 367 which targets PB1 protein but not NP. A mutant resistant to 367 has H456P mutation at the PB1 protein and both the recombinant influenza and the RdRP expressing the PB1 H456P mutation have elevated resistance to 367. Our high-throughput screening (HTS) campaign thus resulted in the identification of antiinfluenza compounds targeting RdRP activity.     

Adaptive strategies of the influenza virus polymerase for replication in humans

Transmission of influenza viruses into the human population requires surmounting barriers to cross-species infection. Changes in the influenza polymerase overcome one such barrier. Viruses isolated from birds generally contain polymerases with the avian-signature glutamic acid at amino acid 627 in the PB2 subunit. These polymerases display restricted activity in human cells. An adaptive change in this residue from glutamic acid to the human-signature lysine confers high levels of polymerase activity in human cells. This mutation permits escape from a species-specific restriction factor that targets polymerases from avian viruses. A 2009 swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus recently established a pandemic infection in humans, even though the virus encodes a PB2 with the restrictive glutamic acid at amino acid 627. We show here that the 2009 H1N1 virus has acquired second-site suppressor mutations in its PB2 polymerase subunit that convey enhanced polymerase activity in human cells. Introduction of this polymorphism into the PB2 subunit of a primary avian isolate also increased polymerase activity and viral replication in human and porcine cells. An alternate adaptive strategy has also been identified, whereby introduction of a human PA subunit into an avian polymerase overcomes restriction in human cells. These data reveal a strategy used by the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus and identify other pathways by which avian and swine-origin viruses may evolve to enhance replication, and potentially pathogenesis, in humans.     

Molecular Docking and Virtual Screening of an Influenza Virus Inhibitor That Disrupts Protein–Protein Interactions

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus, but few drugs are available for its treatment. Consequently, researchers have been engaged in efforts to discover new antiviral mechanisms that can lay the foundation for novel anti-influenza drugs. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is an enzyme that plays an indispensable role in the viral infection process, which is directly linked to the survival of the virus. Methods of inhibiting PB1–PB2 (basic polymerase 1–basic polymerase 2) interactions, which are a key part of RdRp enzyme activity, are integral in the design of novel antiviral drugs, a specific PB1–PB2 interactions inhibitor has not been reported. We have screened Enamine’s database and conducted a parallel screening of multiple docking schemes, followed by simulations of molecular dynamics to determine the structure of a stable ligand—PB1 complex. We also calculated the free energy of binding between the screened compounds and PB1 protein. Ultimately, we screened and identified a potential PB1–PB2 inhibitor using the ADMET prediction model.     

Comprehensive assessment of amino acid substitutions in the trimeric RNA polymerase complex of influenza A virus detected in clinical trials of baloxavir marboxil

BackgroundBaloxavir marboxil (BXM) is an approved drug that selectively targets cap‐dependent endonuclease on PA subunit in the RNA polymerase complex of influenza A and B viruses. Amino acid substitutions at position 38 in the PA subunit were identified as a major pathway for reduced susceptibility to baloxavir acid (BXA), the active form of BXM. Additionally, substitutions found at positions E23, A37, and E199 in the PA subunit impact BXA susceptibility by less than 10‐fold.MethodsWe comprehensively evaluated the impact of novel amino acid substitutions identified in PA, PB1, and PB2 subunits in BXM clinical trials and influenza sequence databases by means of drug susceptibility and replicative capacity.ResultsPA/I38N in A(H1N1)pdm09 and PA/I38R in A(H3N2) were newly identified as treatment‐emergent substitutions in the CAPSTONE‐2 study. The I38N substitution conferred reduced susceptibility by 24‐fold, whereas replicative capacity of the I38N‐substituted virus was impaired compared with the wild‐type. The I38R‐substituted virus was not viable in cell culture. All other mutations assessed in this extensive study did not significantly affect BXA susceptibility (< 2.4‐fold change).ConclusionThese results provide additional information on the impact of amino acid substitutions in the trimeric viral polymerase complex to BXA susceptibility and will further support influenza surveillance.     

Molecular mechanisms of mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid

The levels and spectra of the drug resistance of clinical M. tuberculosis strains were defined. There was a relationship of treatment regimens to the drug resistance of mycobacteria isolated from the strains. The fragments of genes rpoB, inhA, and katG were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. In addition to earlier identified substitutions, new mutations were found in rpoB: A-->T/233, G-->A/395, C-->T/232, G-->T/202, C-->T/221, C-->T/260, GA-->TT/202-203, delta 199-207 ATGGACCAG. Strain 12/7 was found to have 30 point mutations leading to substitution of only 3 amino acids and to have GGG(Gly)354 deletion as well. Most mutations in this strain are "silent". Substitutions at 944 and 463 positions were revealed in katG.     

Hepatitis C virus resistance to protease inhibitors

Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the development of novel small molecules that target specific viral proteins of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle. These drugs, collectively termed directly acting antivirals (DAA) against HCV, include a range of non-structural (NS) 3/NS4A protease, NS5B polymerase, and NS5A inhibitors at various stages of clinical development. The rapid replication rate of HCV, along with the low fidelity of its polymerase, gives rise to generations of mutations throughout the viral genome resulting in remarkable sequence variation in the HCV population, known as a quasispecies. The efficacy of DAAs is limited by the presence of those mutations that give rise to amino-acid substitutions within the targeted protein, and that affect the viral sensitivity to these compounds. Thus, due to the high genetic variability of HCV, variants with reduced susceptibility to DAA can occur naturally even before treatment begins, but usually at low levels. Not surprisingly then, these changes are selected in patients either breaking through or not responding to potent DAA treatment. In vitro or in vivo, six major position mutations in the NS3 HCV protease (36, 54, 155, 156, 168, and 170) have now been reported associated with different levels of resistance. The amino acid composition at several of the drug resistance sites can vary between the HCV genotypes/subtypes, resulting in different consensus amino acids leading to a reduction in replicative fitness as well as reduced DAA sensitivity. Different amino acid diversity profiles for HCV genotypes/subtypes suggest differences in the position/type of immune escape and drug resistance mutations. Also, different pathways of resistance profiles based on the chemical scaffold (linear or macrocyclic) of the protease inhibitors have been described. This review first describes how resistance to a protease inhibitor can develop and then provides an overview of the mechanism of how particular mutations confer varying levels of resistance to protease inhibitor, which have been identified and characterized using both genotypic and phenotypic tools. Future potential therapeutic strategies to assist patients who do develop resistance to protease inhibitors are also outlined. The challenge developing new HCV protease inhibitors should take into consideration not only the antiviral potency of the drugs, the occurrence and importance of side effects, the frequency of oral administration, but also the resistance profiles of these agents.     

Comprehensive global amino acid sequence analysis of PB1F2 protein of influenza A H5N1 viruses and the influenza A virus subtypes responsible for the 20th‐century pandemics

Please cite this paper as: Pasricha et al. (2012) Comprehensive global amino acid sequence analysis of PB1F2 protein of influenza A H5N1 viruses and the Influenza A virus subtypes responsible for the 20th‐century pandemics. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 497–505. Background PB1F2 is the 11th protein of influenza A virus translated from +1 alternate reading frame of PB1 gene. Since the discovery, varying sizes and functions of the PB1F2 protein of influenza A viruses have been reported. Selection of PB1 gene segment in the pandemics, variable size and pleiotropic effect of PB1F2 intrigued us to analyze amino acid sequences of this protein in various influenza A viruses. Methods Amino acid sequences for PB1F2 protein of influenza A H5N1, H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2 subtypes were obtained from Influenza Research Database. Multiple sequence alignments of the PB1F2 protein sequences of the aforementioned subtypes were used to determine the size, variable and conserved domains and to perform mutational analysis. Results Analysis showed that 96·4% of the H5N1 influenza viruses harbored full‐length PB1F2 protein. Except for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus, all the subtypes of the 20th‐century pandemic influenza viruses contained full‐length PB1F2 protein. Through the years, PB1F2 protein of the H1N1 and H3N2 viruses has undergone much variation. PB1F2 protein sequences of H5N1 viruses showed both human‐ and avian host‐specific conserved domains. Global database of PB1F2 protein revealed that N66S mutation was present only in 3·8% of the H5N1 strains. We found a novel mutation, N84S in the PB1F2 protein of 9·35% of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 influenza viruses. Conclusions Varying sizes and mutations of the PB1F2 protein in different influenza A virus subtypes with pandemic potential were obtained. There was genetic divergence of the protein in various hosts which highlighted the host‐specific evolution of the virus. However, studies are required to correlate this sequence variability with the virulence and pathogenicity.     

2009年上海地区甲型流行性感冒流行及甲型H1N1病毒分离株变异分析

目的 了解2009年上海地区人群流行性感冒(流感)的流行特征和流行期间甲型H1N1分离株基因和抗原的变异.方法 采集2009年上海地区哨点医院和学校聚集性流感样患者咽拭子标本,接种犬肾细胞(MDCK细胞)分离流感病毒,直接荧光免疫法鉴定流感病毒型,RT-PCR法鉴定亚型,对部分甲型H1N1流感病毒进行血凝素(HA)、神经氨酸酶(NA)等片段全基因测序,分析甲型H1N1流感病毒HA、NA等基因变异.结果 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感中,季节性H1N1和H3N2流感同时存在,进入第32周时,甲型H1N1和季节性H3N2流感同时流行,第40周后主要是甲型H1N1流行.甲型H1N1流行株HA进化分析显示,不同区域、不同月份分离株互有穿插,上海地区分离株聚集成簇形成一个分枝,与西班牙、俄罗斯、丹麦等国的流行株接近.HA演绎推导氨基酸位点虽有变异,但都不位于抗原决定区域;NA基因演绎推导氨基酸位点未观察到274位点及与耐奥司他韦药物相关其他位点的变异;PB2蛋白氨基酸序列分析显示,第627位和第701位氨基酸分别是谷氨酸和天冬氨酸,为禽源流感病毒PB2蛋白氨基酸位点.结论 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感,季节性H1N1和H3N2同时流行,夏秋季开始甲型H1N1、季节性H3N2在人群中同时流行,之后以甲型H1N1为主.甲型H1N1与早期分离株比较有一定变异,但尚未出现流行病学意义的抗原漂移株,仍表现为对人的高亲和力和低致病性特征.     

2009年上海地区甲型流行性感冒流行及甲型H1N1病毒分离株变异分析

目的 了解2009年上海地区人群流行性感冒(流感)的流行特征和流行期间甲型H1N1分离株基因和抗原的变异.方法 采集2009年上海地区哨点医院和学校聚集性流感样患者咽拭子标本,接种犬肾细胞(MDCK细胞)分离流感病毒,直接荧光免疫法鉴定流感病毒型,RT-PCR法鉴定亚型,对部分甲型H1N1流感病毒进行血凝素(HA)、神经氨酸酶(NA)等片段全基因测序,分析甲型H1N1流感病毒HA、NA等基因变异.结果 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感中,季节性H1N1和H3N2流感同时存在,进入第32周时,甲型H1N1和季节性H3N2流感同时流行,第40周后主要是甲型H1N1流行.甲型H1N1流行株HA进化分析显示,不同区域、不同月份分离株互有穿插,上海地区分离株聚集成簇形成一个分枝,与西班牙、俄罗斯、丹麦等国的流行株接近.HA演绎推导氨基酸位点虽有变异,但都不位于抗原决定区域;NA基因演绎推导氨基酸位点未观察到274位点及与耐奥司他韦药物相关其他位点的变异;PB2蛋白氨基酸序列分析显示,第627位和第701位氨基酸分别是谷氨酸和天冬氨酸,为禽源流感病毒PB2蛋白氨基酸位点.结论 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感,季节性H1N1和H3N2同时流行,夏秋季开始甲型H1N1、季节性H3N2在人群中同时流行,之后以甲型H1N1为主.甲型H1N1与早期分离株比较有一定变异,但尚未出现流行病学意义的抗原漂移株,仍表现为对人的高亲和力和低致病性特征.     

2009年上海地区甲型流行性感冒流行及甲型H1N1病毒分离株变异分析

目的 了解2009年上海地区人群流行性感冒(流感)的流行特征和流行期间甲型H1N1分离株基因和抗原的变异.方法 采集2009年上海地区哨点医院和学校聚集性流感样患者咽拭子标本,接种犬肾细胞(MDCK细胞)分离流感病毒,直接荧光免疫法鉴定流感病毒型,RT-PCR法鉴定亚型,对部分甲型H1N1流感病毒进行血凝素(HA)、神经氨酸酶(NA)等片段全基因测序,分析甲型H1N1流感病毒HA、NA等基因变异.结果 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感中,季节性H1N1和H3N2流感同时存在,进入第32周时,甲型H1N1和季节性H3N2流感同时流行,第40周后主要是甲型H1N1流行.甲型H1N1流行株HA进化分析显示,不同区域、不同月份分离株互有穿插,上海地区分离株聚集成簇形成一个分枝,与西班牙、俄罗斯、丹麦等国的流行株接近.HA演绎推导氨基酸位点虽有变异,但都不位于抗原决定区域;NA基因演绎推导氨基酸位点未观察到274位点及与耐奥司他韦药物相关其他位点的变异;PB2蛋白氨基酸序列分析显示,第627位和第701位氨基酸分别是谷氨酸和天冬氨酸,为禽源流感病毒PB2蛋白氨基酸位点.结论 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感,季节性H1N1和H3N2同时流行,夏秋季开始甲型H1N1、季节性H3N2在人群中同时流行,之后以甲型H1N1为主.甲型H1N1与早期分离株比较有一定变异,但尚未出现流行病学意义的抗原漂移株,仍表现为对人的高亲和力和低致病性特征.     

Increased Polymerase Activity of Zoonotic H7N9 Allows Partial Escape from MxA

The interferon-induced myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) is a potent restriction factor that prevents zoonotic infection from influenza A virus (IAV) subtype H7N9. Individuals expressing antivirally inactive MxA variants are highly susceptible to these infections. However, human-adapted IAVs have acquired specific mutations in the viral nucleoprotein (NP) that allow escape from MxA-mediated restriction but that have not been observed in MxA-sensitive, human H7N9 isolates. To date, it is unknown whether H7N9 can adapt to escape MxA-mediated restriction. To study this, we infected Rag2-knockout (Rag2^−/−) mice with a defect in T and B cell maturation carrying a human MxA transgene (MxA^tg/−Rag2^−/−). In these mice, the virus could replicate for several weeks facilitating host adaptation. In MxA^tg/−Rag2^−/−, but not in Rag2^−/− mice, the well-described mammalian adaptation E627K in the viral polymerase subunit PB2 was acquired, but no variants with MxA escape mutations in NP were detected. Utilizing reverse genetics, we could show that acquisition of PB2 E627K allowed partial evasion from MxA restriction in MxA^tg/tg mice. However, pretreatment with type I interferon decreased viral replication in these mice, suggesting that PB2 E627K is not a true MxA escape mutation. Based on these results, we speculate that it might be difficult for H7N9 to acquire MxA escape mutations in the viral NP. This is consistent with previous findings showing that MxA escape mutations cause severe attenuation of IAVs of avian origin.     

Study of resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs in five districts of Equatorial Guinea: rates, risk factors, genotyping of gene mutations and molecular epidemiology.

SETTING: Five districts in Equatorial Guinea, March 1999 to February 2001. OBJECTIVES: To determine tuberculosis drug resistance among new and previously treated cases, the risk factors associated with resistance, and the mutations associated with isoniazid and rifampicin (katG, inhA and rpoB genes) resistance, and to genotype resistant strains. RESULTS: A positive culture identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was obtained in 240/499 patients. Susceptibility testing was performed in 236 strains. The overall resistance rate in new cases was 16.9% compared to 41.6% in previously treated cases. Isoniazid resistance was the most frequent (respectively 12.5% and 16.6%) in the two groups, while multidrug resistance was observed in 1.7% and 25% of new and previously treated cases, respectively. Female sex was statistically associated with resistance in new cases. Of 41 isoniazid-resistant strains, 33 (80.5%) had mutations in the inhA gene; none had mutations in the katG gene and eight had no mutations in either gene. All strains had low-level isoniazid resistance. Of eight strains resistant to rifampicin, six had mutations in the rpoB gene. Genotyping defined seven clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate resistance was found in new cases. Low-level isoniazid resistance predominated among mutations in the inhA gene, with a high percentage of clustering in resistant strains.     

我国鸡源与人源H9N2亚型流感病毒聚合酶PB1基因的关系分析

目的　通过对 1996～ 2 0 0 1年自我国部分养鸡场分离鉴定的 8株H9N2亚型鸡流感病毒聚合酶PB1基因测序 ,了解鸡源与人源H9N2亚型流感病毒聚合酶PB1基因的关系。方法　病毒在鸡胚中传代 ,自收获的尿囊液提取RNA ,通过RT-PCR ,扩增聚合酶PB1基因片段 ,并进行序列测定 ,测序结果采用PHYLIP软件在Internet网上分析处理 ,并用TreeView软件绘制系统进化树。结果　 8株H9N2亚型鸡流感病毒聚合酶PB1基因的核苷酸同源性为 97 4 %～ 99 7% ,与三株人源H9N2病毒A/Guangzhou/ 333/ 99、A/HongKong/ 10 73/ 99、A/HongKong/ 10 74 / 99的同源性分别为 90 6 %～ 91 9%、90 4 %～91 5 %、90 2 %～ 91 3%。该 8株鸡源H9N2病毒PB1基因属于相同的进化分支 ,即A/duck/HongKong/Y2 80 / 97-like分支 ,而与该 3株人源株H9N2病毒属于不同的进化分支 ;尚未发现PB1基因属于A/ quail/HongKong/G1/ 97或A/duck/Hong/Y4 39/ 97分支的鸡源分离株。结论　在我国养鸡业流行的H9N2病毒分离株与目前已分离的人源株H9N2病毒其PB1基因属于不同的进化亚分支 ,人源株H9N2病毒PB1基因不是来源于鸡源H9N2病毒。     

Cytomegalovirus UL97 phosphotransferase mutations that affect susceptibility to ganciclovir.

Most ganciclovir (GCV)-resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) isolates contain UL97 gene mutations at codon 460 or 520 or between codons 590 and 607, where an increasing variety of mutations have been detected, including deletions. To determine their phenotypic effect, 9 UL97 mutations not previously studied were transferred to drug-sensitive laboratory CMV strains that contained unique restriction sites developed for this purpose. Deletion of the entire codon range 591-607 conferred a 6-fold increase in GCV resistance, with little effect on viral replication. Some mutations found in clinical isolates, including C592G and A594T, conferred only 2-3-fold decreases in GCV susceptibility. For C592G, this phenotype was confirmed by transfer to different CMV strains and by restoration of full drug susceptibility after removal of the mutation. Low drug levels resulting from oral GCV therapy may predispose the virus to the initial selection of these low-grade UL97 resistance mutations and to later accumulation of other mutations and greater resistance.     

Molecular Characterization and Pathogenesis of H6N6 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Isolated from Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in South Korea

The subtype H6N6 has been identified worldwide following the increasing frequency of avian influenza viruses (AIVs). These AIVs also have the ability to bind to human-like receptors, thereby increasing the risk of animal-human transmission. In September 2019, an H6N6 avian influenza virus—KNU2019-48 (A/Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)/South Korea/KNU 2019-48/2019(H6N6))—was isolated from Anas platyrhynchos in South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis results revealed that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of this strain belongs to the Korean lineage, whereas the neuraminidase (NA) and polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1) genes belong to the Chinese lineage. Outstanding internal proteins such as PB2, polymerase acidic protein, nucleoprotein, matrix protein, and non-structural protein belong to the Vietnamese lineage. Additionally, a monobasic amino acid (PRIETR↓GLF) at the HA cleavage site; non-deletion of the stalk region (residue 59–69) in the NA gene; and E627 in the PB2 gene indicate that the KNU2019-48 isolate is a typical low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus. The nucleotide sequence similarity analysis of HA revealed that the highest homology (97.18%) of this isolate is to that of A/duck/Jiangxi/01.14 NCJD125-P/2015(H6N6), and the amino acid sequence of NA (97.38%) is closely related to that of A/duck/Fujian/10.11_FZHX1045-C/2016 (H6N6). An in vitro analysis of the KNU2019-48 virus shows a virus titer of not more than 2.8 Log10 TCID ₅₀/mL until 72 h post-infection, whereas in the lungs, the virus is detected at 3 dpi (days post-infection). The isolated KNU2019-48 (H6N6) strain is the first reported AIV in Korea, and the H6 subtype virus has co-circulated in China, Vietnam, and Korea for half a decade. Overall, our study demonstrates that Korean H6N6 strain PB1-S375N, PA-A404S, and S409N mutations are infectious in humans and might contribute to the enhanced pathogenicity of this strain. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of continuous and intensive surveillance of the H6N6 virus not only in Korea but also worldwide.     

Genetic and Antigenic Evolution of European Swine Influenza A Viruses of HA-1C (Avian-Like) and HA-1B (Human-Like) Lineages in France from 2000 to 2018

This study evaluated the genetic and antigenic evolution of swine influenza A viruses (swIAV) of the two main enzootic H1 lineages, i.e., HA-1C (H1_av) and -1B (H1_hu), circulating in France between 2000 and 2018. SwIAV RNAs extracted from 1220 swine nasal swabs were hemagglutinin/neuraminidase (HA/NA) subtyped by RT-qPCRs, and 293 virus isolates were sequenced. In addition, 146 H1_avNy and 105 H1_huNy strains were submitted to hemagglutination inhibition tests. H1_avN1 (66.5%) and H1_huN2 (25.4%) subtypes were predominant. Most H1 strains belonged to HA-1C.2.1 or -1B.1.2.3 clades, but HA-1C.2, -1C.2.2, -1C.2.3, -1B.1.1, and -1B.1.2.1 clades were also detected sporadically. Within HA-1B.1.2.3 clade, a group of strains named “Δ146-147” harbored several amino acid mutations and a double deletion in HA, that led to a marked antigenic drift. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that internal segments belonged mainly to the “Eurasian avian-like lineage”, with two distinct genogroups for the M segment. In total, 17 distinct genotypes were identified within the study period. Reassortments of H1_av/H1_hu strains with H1N1pdm virus were rarely evidenced until 2018. Analysis of amino acid sequences predicted a variability in length of PB1-F2 and PA-X proteins and identified the appearance of several mutations in PB1, PB1-F2, PA, NP and NS1 proteins that could be linked to virulence, while markers for antiviral resistance were identified in N1 and N2. Altogether, diversity and evolution of swIAV recall the importance of disrupting the spreading of swIAV within and between pig herds, as well as IAV inter-species transmissions.     

Protease sequences from HIV-1 group M subtypes A-H reveal distinct amino acid mutation patterns associated with protease resistance in protease inhibitor-naive individuals worldwide. HIV Variant Working Group

BACKGROUND: Although numerous mutations that confer resistance to protease inhibitors (PRI) have been mapped for HIV-1 subtype B, little is known about such substitutions for the non-B viruses, which globally cause the most infections. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of PRI-associated mutations in PRI-naive individuals worldwide. DESIGN: Using the polymerase chain reaction, protease sequences were amplified from 301 individuals infected with HIV-1 subtypes A (79), B (95), B' (19), C (12), D (26), A/E (23), F (26), A/G (11), and H (3) and unclassifiable HIV-1 (7). Amplified DNA was directly sequenced and translated to amino acids to analyze PRI-associated major and accessory mutations. RESULTS: Of the 301 sequences, 85% contained at least one codon change giving substitution at 10, 20, 30, 36, 46, 63, 71, 77, or 82 associated with PRI resistance; the frequency of these substitutions was higher among non-B (91%) than B (75%) viruses (P < 0.0005). Of these, 25% carried dual and triple substitutions. Two major drug resistance-conferring mutations, either 20M or 30N, were identified in only three specimens, whereas drug resistance accessory mutations were found in 252 isolates. These mutations gave distinct prevalence patterns for subtype B, 63P (62%) > 77I (19%) > 10I/V/R (6%) = 361 (6%) = 71T/V (6%) > 20R (2%), and non-B strains, 36I (83%) > 63P (17%) > 10I/V/R (13%) > 20R (10%) > 77I (2%), which differed statistically at positions 20, 36, 63, 71, and 77. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of PRI-associated substitutions represent natural polymorphisms occurring in PRI-naive patients infected with HIV-1 strains of subtypes A-H. The significance of distinct mutation patterns identified for subtype B and non-B strains warrants further clinical evaluation. A global HIV-1 protease database is fundamental for the investigation of novel PRI.     

2019年广州市甲型H1N1流感病毒全基因组序列的遗传特征分析

目的 对甲型H1N1流感病毒进行基因组全序列遗传特征分析,为流感的科学防控提供新数据.方法 选取7株2019年广州市甲型H1N1流感病毒进行全基因组序列测定,分析其遗传特征.结果 7株病毒的核苷酸同源性最高为PB2基因(98.8％～99.9％),最低为NA基因(97.3％～99.2％).总体上,不同月份的H1N1流感分...