# STRUCTURE AND SYNTHESIS OF MYXOVIRUSES

> **NIH NIH R01** · SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $105,343

## Abstract

The objective of this research is to characterize the initial steps in
influenza virus replication and to identify the viral and cellular
components that are needed to attach the virion to host cells and to move
the viral transcription complex into the cytoplasm.  We want to know in
detail how the influenza viruses initiate infection and how the initial
steps in this process are involved in te adaptation of these viruses to
growth in new hosts.  We will characterize two host dependent plaque type
mutants of influenza virus which have different hemagglutinins.  We will
determine how the hemagglutinin proteins of the two variants differ in
composition and in biological properties.  Our aim is to determine how
changes in the structure of the hemagglutinin affect interactions of this
viral glycoprotein.  We will then use these host dependent hemagglutinin
variants and recombinant viruses to delineate the virus structural
requirements for each early step in the infectious process.  In addition,
we will determine the cellular factors involved by using fully permissive
cells and virus resistant cells to independently measure adsorption,
internalization, and introduction of the viral transcription complex into
the cytoplasm.  In view of our inability to control influenza by
conventional immunological measures or to develop antiviral agents which
block intracellular steps in viral replication, it is important that we
understand the initial events in the infectious process.  A thorough
understanding of this process could provide a rational approach to the
control of these viruses.  Secondly, we now have reason to expect that a
thorough characterization of those initial steps will help us to understand
how viral strains from one animal species establish infection and acquire
the ability to grow well in another animal species.  Since one of the
abiding problems in the control of human influenza is the introduction of
influenza viruses from animal reservoirs into the human population, an
understanding of the mechanisms involved in these interspecies transfers
may also be critical to the control of this disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3124647
- **Project number:** 5R01AI010097-14
- **Recipient organization:** SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JNBLLTBTLLD8
- **Principal Investigator:** IRENE T SCHULZE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $105,343
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-05-01 → 1989-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3124647

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3124647, STRUCTURE AND SYNTHESIS OF MYXOVIRUSES (5R01AI010097-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3124647. Licensed CC0.

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