Comparative sequence, antigenic and phylogenetic analysis of avian influenza (H9N2) surface proteins isolated in Pakistan between 1999 and 2008

Azeem Mehmood Butt; Samerene Siddique; Shifa Tahir; Izza Nasrullah; Mureed Hussain; Muhammad Idrees; Jun Lu; Yigang Tong

doi:10.3855/jidc.1372

Comparative sequence, antigenic and phylogenetic analysis of avian influenza (H9N2) surface proteins isolated in Pakistan between 1999 and 2008

Authors

Azeem Mehmood Butt National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Samerene Siddique National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Shifa Tahir Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Izza Nasrullah Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Mureed Hussain National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Idrees National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Jun Lu Tumor Biotherapy Ward, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
Yigang Tong State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, PR China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1372

Keywords:

Avian Influenza (H9N2), Pakistan poultry flocks, phylogenetic, glycosylation and antigen, sequence comparison

Abstract

Introduction: Influenza A viruses possess a unique genomic structure which leads to genetic instability, especially in products of neuraminidase and hemagglutinin genes. These surface proteins play major roles in viral entry and release, and in the activation of the host immune system.

Methodology: This study involved an in silico sequence, phylogenetic and antigenic analyses of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins of avian influenza A (H9N2) strains that circulated in Pakistan's poultry flocks from 1999 to 2008 and determined variations among these sequences at different levels.

Results: Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed a large number of similar substitution mutations and close evolutionary relation among sequences of both proteins. Changes were observed in the N-glycosylation sites of both surface proteins, along with the appearance of a new glycosylation site in the neuraminidase sequence isolated in 2007. Epitopes for hemagglutinin remained conserved, whereas for neuraminidase, epitopes from older strains reappeared in present sequences.

Conclusions: Because of the rapid mutating nature of avian influenza subtype H9N2, constant surveillance of annual sequence variations is important. Preventive measures and vaccine products can be evaluated by keeping track of changes that may lead to reassortment among different circulating strains in Pakistan's commercial poultry flocks or in humans.

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Published

2011-01-14

How to Cite

Butt AM, Siddique S, Tahir S, Nasrullah I, Hussain M, Idrees M, Lu J, Tong Y (2011) Comparative sequence, antigenic and phylogenetic analysis of avian influenza (H9N2) surface proteins isolated in Pakistan between 1999 and 2008. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:413–424. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1372

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Issue

Vol. 5 No. 06: June 2011

Section

Emerging Problems in Infectious Diseases

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