Influenza virus nucleoprotein
Encyclopedia
Influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) is a structural protein
which encapsidates the negative strand viral RNA
. NP is one of the main determinants of species specificity. The question of how far the NP gene can cross the species barrier by reassortment
and become adapted by mutation
to the new host has been discussed.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which encapsidates the negative strand viral RNA
RNA
Ribonucleic acid , or RNA, is one of the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life....
. NP is one of the main determinants of species specificity. The question of how far the NP gene can cross the species barrier by reassortment
Reassortment
Reassortment is the mixing of the genetic material of a species into new combinations in different individuals. Several different processes contribute to reassortment, including assortment of chromosomes, and chromosomal crossover. It is particularly used when two similar viruses that are infecting...
and become adapted by mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
to the new host has been discussed.