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The Ygr125w was previously identified as a vacuolar membrane protein by a proteomic analysis. We found that vacuolar levels of basic amino acids drastically decreased in ygr125wΔ cells. Since N- or C-terminally tagged Ygr125w was not functional, an expression plasmid of YGR125w with HA3-tag inserted in its N-terminal hydrophilic region was constructed. Introduction of this plasmid into ygr125w∆ cells restored the vacuolar levels of basic amino acids. We successfully detected the uptake activity of arginine by the vacuolar membrane vesicles depending on HA3-YGR125w expression. A conserved aspartate residue in the predicted first transmembrane helix (D223) was indispensable for the accumulation of basic amino acids. YGR125w has been recently reported as a gene involved in vacuolar storage of arginine; and it is designated as VSB1. Taken together, our findings indicate that Ygr125w/Vsb1 contributes to the uptake of arginine into vacuoles and vacuolar compartmentalization of basic amino acids., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.)

Variola virus is at risk of re-emergence either through accidental release, bioterrorism, or synthetic biology. The use of phylogenetics and phylogeography to support epidemic field response is expected to grow as sequencing technology becomes miniaturized, cheap, and ubiquitous. In this study, we aimed to explore the use of common VARV diagnostic targets hemagglutinin (HA), cytokine response modifier B (CrmB), and A-type inclusion protein (ATI) for phylogenetic characterization as well as the representativeness of modelling strategies in phylogeography to support epidemic response should smallpox re-emerge. We used Bayesian discrete-trait phylogeography using the most complete data set currently available of whole genome (n = 51) and partially sequenced (n = 20) VARV isolates. We show that multilocus models combining HA, ATI, and CrmB genes may represent a useful heuristic to differentiate between VARV Major and subclades of VARV Minor which have been associated with variable case-fatality rates. Where whole genome sequencing is unavailable, phylogeography models of HA, ATI, and CrmB may provide preliminary but uncertain estimates of transmission, while supplementing whole genome models with additional isolates sequenced only for HA can improve sample representativeness, maintaining similar support for transmission relative to whole genome models. We have also provided empirical evidence delineating historic international VARV transmission using phylogeography. Due to the persistent threat of re-emergence, our results provide important research for smallpox epidemic preparedness in the posteradication era as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Introduction: It is increasingly difficult to differentiate measles viruses (MeVs) relating to certain outbreaks on the basis of the nucleoprotein (N) gene sequence only, as the diversity of circulating MeV strains has decreased. We studied genomic regions that could provide better molecular discrimination between epidemiologically linked and unlinked MeV variants identified in Sweden during 2013-2014., Methods: The hemagglutinin (H) gene and hypervariable region between the fusion and matrix genes (MF-HVR) from 53 MeV-positive samples were amplified and sequenced. Data on phylogenetic clustering of MeVs on the basis of N, H, and MF-HVR sequences were compared to epidemiological data., Results: MeVs were genotyped: 27 were B3, and 26 were D8. One genotype B3 cluster based on the N gene sequence contained epidemiologically unrelated viruses from 4 outbreaks, whereas analysis of H and MF-HVR sequences separated them into phylogenetic clusters consistent with the epidemiological data. Similarly, the single cluster of viruses with a genotype D8 N gene could be divided into the 5 outbreak groups on the basis of the phylogeny of MF-HVR sequences., Conclusions: A detailed picture of MeV circulation with more-defined links between outbreaks was obtained by sequencing the H gene and MF-HVR. Further identification and better genetic characterization of MeVs internationally is essential in identifying sources and routes of MeV spread within and beyond Europe in the elimination end game., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Influenza impressively reflects the paradigm of a viral disease in which continued evolution of the virus is of paramount importance for annual epidemics and occasional pandemics in humans. Because of the continuous threat of novel influenza outbreaks, it is essential to gather further knowledge about viral pathogenicity determinants. Here, we explored the adaptive potential of the influenza A virus subtype H1N1 variant isolate A/Hamburg/04/09 (HH/04) by sequential passaging in mice lungs. Three passages in mice lungs were sufficient to dramatically enhance pathogenicity of HH/04. Sequence analysis identified 4 nonsynonymous mutations in the third passage virus. Using reverse genetics, 3 synergistically acting mutations were defined as pathogenicity determinants, comprising 2 mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA[D222G] and HA[K163E]), whereby the HA(D222G) mutation was shown to determine receptor binding specificity and the polymerase acidic (PA) protein F35L mutation increasing polymerase activity. In conclusion, synergistic action of all 3 mutations results in a mice lethal pandemic H1N1 virus.

The limitations of high-level expression of virus surface proteins in yeast are not well understood. The inefficiency of yeast to produce active human virus surface glycoproteins, as well as other mammalian glycoproteins, is usually explained by the inefficient folding of the glycoprotein into its characteristic and functional three-dimensional structure from a random coil. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly versatile protein factory that is equipped with chaperones and folding enzymes essential for protein folding. To improve folding and solubility of viral surface glycoprotein, the genes encoding human ER resident chaperones calnexin, calreticulin, immunoglobin binding protein (BiP), protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and foldase (ERp57) were coexpressed together with hemagglutinin gene from measles virus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effect of coexpressing chaperones on the total yield of measles virus hemagglutinin (MeH) as well as the intracellular fate of the glycoprotein was determined. Our results demonstrated that coexpression of human calnexin noticeably enhanced the quantity of the soluble glycosylated form of MeH in yeast. The coexpression of human calreticulin-, PDI-, ERp57- and BiP-encoding genes did not improve the quality of recombinant MeH., (© 2011 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The expression of ganglioside GD3, which plays crucial roles in normal brain development, decreases in adults but is upregulated in neoplastic cells, where it regulates tumor invasion and survival. Normally a buildup of GD3 induces apoptosis, but this does not occur in gliomas due to formation of 9-O-acetyl GD3 by the addition of an acetyl group to the terminal sialic acid of GD3; this renders GD3 unable to induce apoptosis. Using human biopsy-derived glioblastoma cell cultures, we have carried out a series of molecular manipulations targeting GD3 acetylation pathways. Using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, western blotting, and transwell assays, we have shown the existence of a critical ratio between GD3 and 9-O-acetyl GD3, which promotes tumor survival. Thus, we have demonstrated for the first time in primary glioblastoma that cleaving the acetyl group restores GD3, resulting in a reduction in tumor cell viability while normal astrocytes remain unaffected. Additionally, we have shown that glioblastoma viability is reduced due to the induction of mitochondrially mediated apoptosis and that this occurs after mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Three methods of cleaving the acetyl group using hemagglutinin esterase were investigated, and we have shown that the baculovirus vector transduces glioma cells as well as normal astroctyes with a relatively high efficacy. A recombinant baculovirus containing hemagglutinin esterase could be developed for the clinic as an adjuvant therapy for glioma.

Quantifying adaptive evolution at the genomic scale is an essential yet challenging aspect of evolutionary biology. Here, we develop a method that extends and generalizes previous approaches to estimate the rate of genomic adaptation in rapidly evolving populations and apply it to a large data set of complete human influenza A virus genome sequences. In accord with previous studies, we observe particularly high rates of adaptive evolution in domain 1 of the viral hemagglutinin (HA1). However, our novel approach also reveals previously unseen adaptation in other viral genes. Notably, we find that the rate of adaptation (per codon per year) is higher in surface residues of the viral neuraminidase than in HA1, indicating strong antibody-mediated selection on the former. We also observed high rates of adaptive evolution in several nonstructural proteins, which may relate to viral evasion of T-cell and innate immune responses. Furthermore, our analysis provides strong quantitative support for the hypothesis that human H1N1 influenza experiences weaker antigenic selection than H3N2. As well as shedding new light on the dynamics and determinants of positive Darwinian selection in influenza viruses, the approach introduced here is applicable to other pathogens for which densely sampled genome sequences are available, and hence is ideally suited to the interpretation of next-generation genome sequencing data.

We describe the first confirmed person-to-person transmission of oseltamivir-resistant pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus that occurred in a hematology unit in the United Kingdom. Eleven cases of (H1N1) 2009 virus infection were identified, of which, ten were related as shown by sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. H275Y analysis demonstrated that 8 of 10 case patients had oseltamivir-resistant virus, with 4 of 8 case patients infected by direct transmission of resistant virus. Zanamivir should be considered as first-line therapy for influenza in patients with lymphopenic hematological conditions and uptake of influenza vaccination encouraged to further reduce the number of susceptible individuals.

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza is considered an avian disease, although there is some evidence of limited human-to-human transmission of the virus. A global effort is underway to control or eradicate the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in poultry and prevent human exposure, both of which may also reduce the risk of pandemic emergence. Hemagglutinin gene sequences from 215 human H5N1 influenza viruses were used to trace the source and dispersal pattern of human H5N1 influenza viruses on a global scale. A mutation network and phylogenetic analyses of the hemagglutinin gene show that human H5N1 influenza viruses can be clearly divided among 4 clusters across geographic space. On the basis of analysis of the N-glycosylation sites at positions 100 and 170 in the hemagglutinin protein, human H5N1 influenza viruses were also divided into 3 types. When we combined these analyses with geographic information system data analyses, we found that Southern China is often a common source of multiple clusters of H5N1 influenza viruses and that each cluster has different dispersal patterns and individual evolutionary features. In summary, the genetic evidence presented here provides clear evidence for multiple clusters of human H5N1 influenza viruses that initially originated in Southern China.

The recent emergence of H1N1 (swine flu) illustrates the ability of the influenza virus to create antigens new to the human immune system, even within a given hemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtype. This new H1N1 strain is sufficiently distinct, for example, from the A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus strain of influenza in the 2008/09 Northern hemisphere vaccine that protection is not expected to be substantial. The human immune system responds primarily to the five epitope regions of the hemagglutinin protein. By determining the fraction of amino acids that differ between a vaccine strain and a viral challenge strain in the dominant epitope regions, a measure of antigenic distance that correlates with epidemiological studies of H3 influenza A vaccine efficacy in humans with R(2) = 0.81 is derived. This measure of antigenic distance is called p(epitope). The relation between vaccine efficacy and p(epitope) is given by E = 0.47 - 2.47 x p(epitope). We here identify the epitope regions of H1 hemagglutinin, so that vaccine efficacy may be reliably estimated for H1N1 influenza A.

In many biological systems, proteins interact with other organic molecules to produce indispensable functions, in which molecular recognition phenomena are essential. Proteins have kept or gained their functions during molecular evolution. Their functions seem to be flexible, and a few amino acid substitutions sometimes cause drastic changes in function. In order to monitor and predict such drastic changes in the early stages in target populations, we need to identify patterns of structural changes during molecular evolution causing decreases or increases in the binding affinity of protein complexes. In previous work, we developed a likelihood-based index to quantify the degree to which a sequence fits a given structure. This index was named the sequence-structure fitness (SSF) and is calculated empirically based on amino acid preferences and pairwise interactions in the structural environment present in template structures. In the present work, we used the SSF to develop an index to measure the binding affinity of protein-protein complexes defined as the log likelihood ratio, contrasting the fitness of the sequences to the structure of the complex and that of the uncomplexed proteins. We applied the developed index to the complexes formed between influenza A hemagglutinin (HA) and four antibodies. The antibody-antigen binding region of HA is under strong selection pressure by the host immune system. Hence, examination of the long-term adaptation of HA to the four antibodies could reveal the strategy of the molecular evolution of HA. Two antibodies cover the HA receptor-binding region, while the other two bind away from the receptor-binding region. By focusing on branches with a significant decline in binding ability, we could detect key amino acid replacements and investigate the mechanism via conditional probabilities. The contrast between the adaptations to the two types of antibodies suggests that the virus adapts to the immune system at the cost of structural change.

In 27 patients randomized to receive commercial trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) containing 15 microg of the hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1) and B virus or a recombinant vaccine (rHAO) containing 15, 45, or 135 microg of each HA, reactogenicity was minor. Among patients with similar prevaccination titers, 40% given 45 microg and 60% given 135 microg of rHAO developed an increase in influenza A/H3 neutralizing antibody levels; there were no increases in 4 given TIV. For each vaccine, the highest frequencies of increases in neutralizing antibody levels and the highest mean titers occurred in those given the 135- microg vaccine.

Adults were immunized with either baculovirus-expressed, purified recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) from influenza A/Beijing/32/92 (H3N2) virus or saline placebo and evaluated for humoral and in vitro cellular immune responses. Compared with responses in placebo recipients, vaccinees had greater postvaccination H3(Beijing/32) HA (H3)-specific lymphoproliferation and interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production. Mean increases in the production of IL-10 (> or = 20-fold) and IL-2 (10-fold) were relatively greater than that of IFN-gamma (4-fold) or IL-4 (no change). Serum H3 antibodies were induced in 80% of rHA recipients, and the rise in antibody titer was significantly correlated with changes in IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-gamma concentrations. Vaccination with rHA only minimally enhanced anti-influenza virus cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. These data demonstrate that rHA immunization of adults elicits a significant recall response by memory B and T lymphocytes and suggest that the cytokine response to vaccination has a T helper cell type 0-like profile.

The nucleotide sequences of either the hemagglutinin or nucleoprotein genes from wild type measles viruses isolated in the United States between 1989 and 1992 differed by < 0.5%. This suggests that the majority of viruses associated with resurgence of measles in the United States belonged to a single indigenous genotype. In contrast, wild type viruses isolated from sporadic outbreaks of measles in the United States during 1994 were genetically heterogeneous. These viruses were more closely related to wild type viruses previously circulating in Europe, Africa, or Japan and were epidemiologically linked to importations or no known source. In addition to demonstrating the utility of genetic analysis in understanding the epidemiology of measles, these data suggest that the transmission of the indigenous virus was interrupted after the 1989-1992 epidemic. Measures to further reduce the incidence of measles in the United States should include efforts to control importation and subsequent spread of measles.

Seven influenza A (H3N2) high-yielding vaccine candidate strains were examined. Antigenic analysis revealed that 5 of the strains could be distinguished antigenically from their corresponding wild type parent viruses. Comparative sequence data for the HA1 domains of the HA (hemagglutinin) genes for these 5 high-yielding viruses and the corresponding wild type parents demonstrated one to three amino acid substitutions within each virus pair, with at least one amino acid change being located in a previously defined antigenic site. Comparison of the HA sequences of the 2 antigenically indistinguishable virus pairs revealed no amino acid differences in 1 and one amino acid change in the other. Examination of 1 additional wild type virus, A/Guangdong/39/89, and its three high-yielding derivatives obtained either by serial egg passage or by reassortment revealed an additive effect of the HA and M genes in creating the high-yielding phenotype.

RNA polymerase I has been used for transcription of influenza hemagglutinin (HA) cDNA precisely linked in the anti-sense configuration to both mouse rDNA promoter and terminator segments. In transcription reactions based on Ehrlich ascites cell nuclear extracts, specific uniform RNA products are synthesized in high rates that are comparable to original rDNA template transcriptions. Primer extension reactions show the 5' ends of these RNA transcripts to be located exactly at position +1, corresponding to the 5' end of negative strand HA viral RNA. RNA 3' ends in a first series of constructs were found extended beyond the accepted location of pre-rRNA 3' ends, in using both hybrid cDNA and original rDNA templates. But upon deletion of six basepairs from the rDNA termination region RNA polymerase I transcription has been adapted to yield correctly terminated influenza viral RNA in vitro. This result has been confirmed in an in vivo experiment via synthesis of an anti-sense viral RNA molecule containing the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, which in turn is recognized at its terminal sequence by viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase for plus strand mRNA synthesis and expression of CAT activity.

Elderly humans have increased morbidity and mortality after viral influenza despite immunization. A mouse model of influenza infection was used to search for a more effective way to induce immunity to influenza. Old (18 months) BALB/c mice were more susceptible to influenza pneumonia than young (2 months) BALB/c mice after intranasal challenge with PR/8 influenza virus despite prior immunization with influenza virus. The decreased resistance to live influenza virus challenge was associated with an impaired generation of anti-hemagglutinin antibody and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in old mice. In contrast, immunization of old mice with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the PR/8 influenza hemagglutinin gene protected them from intranasal challenge with live influenza virus and generated high levels of anti-PR/8 influenza virus hemagglutinin antibody and PR/8-specific cytotoxic T cells. Recombinant vaccine overcame the age-associated immune defect that follows the administration of conventional viral vaccine.

The extent of genetic variation and evolution in a population of human parainfluenza virus type 1 was investigated. The hemagglutinin neuraminidase genes of 13 isolates collected over a 26-year period were sequenced and compared. All isolates except the 1957 type strain were from a single geographic location and demonstrated significant consistent genetic change from the type strain (47/7 [nucleotide/amino acid] substitutions). Antigenic subgroup A isolates demonstrated minor intragroup differences (9/1 substitutions). However, 18/7 unique substitutions separated subgroup A from B regardless of geographic location or year of isolation. Multiple strains of both subgroups appeared and reappeared over decades with only minor variation. There may be significant genetic differences between clinical isolates based on geographic location, and progressive mutational change may occur. Previously defined antigenic and now genetic subgroups were stable and at least regional in distribution over the period studied. The biologic implications and extent of this variation need further evaluation.

A cold-adapted (ca) influenza B reassortant that derived two genes encoding the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase from influenza B/Ann Arbor/1/86 wild-type virus and six internal RNA segments from ca influenza B/Ann Arbor/1/66 virus was evaluated in 66 adult volunteers having a serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer less than or equal to 1:8. The ca reassortant was attenuated and elicited the production of systemic and local antibodies; the 50% human infectious dose was 10(6.4) TCID50. Six weeks after vaccination, 12 unvaccinated volunteers and 13 recipients of ca virus (10(7.5) TCID50) were challenged experimentally with homologous wild-type influenza B virus. The ca vaccine completely protected against illness, and the magnitude of shedding was 50-fold less in vaccinees than in unimmunized controls, five of whom became ill. These findings indicate that the six internal RNA segments of the ca influenza B/Ann Arbor/66 donor virus confer desirable properties of a live virus vaccine to a reassortant derived from a virulent virus. Such reassortants may be suitable vaccines for healthy adults.

Five recently sequenced hemagglutinin genes from Influenza A virus strains are studied for similarities in a hierarchical fashion. The sequences are compared for similarity, first on the level of sequence homology, and then on several progressively more general levels. Though the HA1 subsequences contain regions where homology drops to that of a Monte Carlo generated reference value, subsequent tests reveal great similarity due to constraints on the level of amino acid sequence. Other tests detect statistically significant differences between subtypes due to constraints acting below the level of amino acid sequence, such as the 2 degrees structure of the viral RNA, or involving translation of the mRNA. The general applicability of the hierarchical approach to sequence analysis is discussed.

The genetic composition of 11 high-yielding recombinants of influenza virus was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the 32P-labeled RNAs obtained from the recombinants and their parental viruses. The high-yield recombinants that were selected for potential use as vaccine strains contained the surface hemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens of the low-yielding parental viruses. The increased growth capacity of the recombinants is associated with the presence of genes derived from the high-yielding laboratory strain A/Puerto Rico/8/34. Although increased growth capacity in these recombinants could not be attributed to specific genes or gene combinations, all of the high-yielding recombinants examined derived the M gene from the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 parent.

The stability of mixed tumor cell populations has been described in terms of phenotypic characteristics such as metastatic potential, immunogenicity, and drug resistance. We have extended these analyses to the molecular level in a model that uses transfection of the hemagglutinin antigen (HA) gene of influenza virus into murine CT-26 colorectal carcinoma cells. Transfection was followed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to select a parent population with expression of high levels of HA. We characterized this population (FACS-3) and four derived clones (5, 6, 9, and 18) over time with regard to phenotypic characteristics: immunogenicity and cross-protection against tumor challenge, cell surface expression of HA, evidence of HA gene amplification, and levels of HA mRNA. During 6 months in culture, the FACS-3 parent cells remained stable, but the individual clones varied for all of the parameters assessed. Among the clones, all possible molecular variations occurred, including changes in HA gene copy number (increased in clone 5 and decreased in clone 18), gene rearrangement (clone 5), decrease in HA mRNA (clones 6, 9, and 18), increase in HA mRNA (clone 5), and an abnormality in translational control or a posttranslational error. In all cases, the molecular changes correlated with cell surface HA expression, immunogenicity, and cross-protective potential. We conclude that in vitro clonal interactions play a role in stabilizing heterogeneity in this system. These studies show that even in the absence of selection, clonal interactions may alter the phenotype of tumors by increasing malignant progression or impeding tumor growth.

The nucleotide sequences of four genes of the influenza A virus (nonstructural protein, matrix protein, and a few subtypes of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase) are compiled for a large number of strains isolated from various locations and years, and the evolutionary relationship of the sequences is investigated. It is shown that all of these genes or subtypes are highly polymorphic and that the polymorphic sequences (alleles) are subject to rapid turnover in the population, their average age being much less than that of higher organisms. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that most polymorphic sequences within a subtype or a gene appeared during the last 80 years and that the divergence among the subtypes of hemagglutinin genes might have occurred during the last 300 years. The high degree of polymorphism in this RNA virus is caused by an extremely high rate of mutation, estimated to be 0.01/nucleotide site/year. Despite the high rate of mutation, most influenza virus genes are apparently subject to purifying selection, and the rate of nucleotide substitution is substantially lower than the mutation rate. There is considerable variation in the substitution rate among different genes, and the rate seems to be lower in nonhuman viral strains than in human strains. The difference might be responsible for the so-called freezing effect in some viral strains.

The sequence of the HA1 subunit region of the haemagglutinin gene of influenza A/USSR/90/77, and A/Brazil/11/78, A/Lackland/3/78, A/England/333/80 and A/India/6263/80 was determined by dideoxy-sequencing methods using total virion RNA and specific oligonucleotide primers for reverse transcriptase. These 1977-1980 strains share a minimum of 85% amino acid sequence homology with influenza A/PR/8/34. Most of the surface amino acid substitutions which occurred during the evolution of A/PR/8/34 to A/USSR/90/77 and subsequently in the 1978-1980 strains are located in the 4 antigenic sites previously defined by an analysis of laboratory-selected mutants of A/PR/8/34. We deduce an evolutionary pathway for the 1977-80 strains and suggest their different epidemic properties may be a consequence of only a few amino acid changes.

By analysing complementary DNA clones constructed from genomic RNA of bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (BPIV3), we determined the nucleotide sequence of the region containing the entire F and HN genes. Their deduced amino acid sequences showed about 80% homologies with those of human parainfluenza 3 virus (HPIV3), about 45% with those of Sendai virus, and about 20% with those of SV5 and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), indicating, together with the results described in the preceding paper on the NP, P, C and M proteins of BPIV3, that BPIV3, HPIV3 and Sendai virus constitute a paramyxovirus subgroup, and that BPIV3 and HPIV3 are very closely related. The F and HN proteins of all these viruses, including SV5 and NDV, however, were shown to have protein-specific structures as well as short but well-conserved amino acid sequences, suggesting that these structures and sequences are related to the activities of these glycoproteins.

Reassortant influenza A viruses were produced by mating an avian virus (A/Mallard/NY/78, A/Mallard/Alberta/78, or A/Pintail/Alberta/79) with a wild-type human influenza A virus. From each mating a reassortant virus was obtained that contained the genes coding for the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface antigens of the human influenza A wild-type virus and the six other RNA segments ("internal genes") of the avian influenza A virus parent. The avian-human reassortant influenza viruses produced resembled their avian virus parent in that they produced plaques on MDCK monolayers at 42 C, a temperature restrictive for the human influenza viruses. In the trachea of squirrel monkeys, each avian-human reassortant influenza virus was as restricted in its replication as was its avian influenza virus parent. Thus, one or more of the six internal genes of each avian parent virus was responsible for restriction of the reassortant virus in monkeys. The A/Washington/80 X A/Mallard/NY/78 reassortant virus retained its phenotype of restricted replication in monkeys after five serial passages in vivo. It also failed to transmit to cagemates or induce resistance to wild-type virus challenge, and it did not initiate a systemic or enteric infection. These findings form the basis for evaluation of these attenuated avian-human reassortant influenza A viruses as live attenuated vaccines for humans.

An interactive menu driven system of programmes written in Fortran and designed to utilize the three main nucleotide sequence libraries and one amino acid sequence library was developed to run on a small 16-bit mini computer with limited main memory and mass storage. The software uses a minimum of system function calls and should be transportable with minimal rewriting to micro computers. Software has also been written to create secondary data bases containing the nucleotide triplet values (4(3) classes) derived from the sequence libraries. Using this secondary set, a given sequence and its reversed complement, once reduced to their trinucleotide values, can be compared to all sequences present in the libraries in about forty minutes on a PDP 11/10 mini computer using the correlation statistic. Because the statistic in this case may not be assumed to be normally distributed, we have termed it a quasi correlation coefficient (Qr).