# STUDIES WITH SYNTHETIC NEURAMINIDASE SUBSTRATES

> **NIH NIH R01** · MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF CUNY · 1987 · $255,157

## Abstract

We will continue to study the molecular epidemiology of influenze viruses
using biochemical techniques.  A study will be undertaken to contrast the
evolutionary changes in the earlier H1N1 strains (1950-57) with those
observed in the 1950-like H1N1 strains which were reintroduced into the
population in 1977.  Genetic variation will also be studied with respect to
equine 1 influenza viruses (H7N7).  These viruses appear to undergo slower
antigenic change than human influenza viruses.  In addition, we will
analyze the genetic composition and antigenic properties of new antigenic
"drift" and antigenic "shift" variants of influenza viruses isolated in the
future.

We have developed a convenient assay to measure amber suppressor tRNA
activity in higher eukaryotic cells.  This assay is based on the
quantitation of the NS1 polypeptide and its Su+ tRNA mediated readthrough
product after virus infection.  It is planned to extend this method for the
measurement of opal and ochre suppressor tRNAs and to search for natural
nonsense suppressor tRNA activities in higher eukaryotic cells.  With the
availability of genetically engineered cells containing Su+ tRNAs it should
also be possible to isolate nonsense mutants of influenza virus and to use
them for studying the structure/function relationship of influenza viral
genes.  We also plan to apply the suppressor systems to generate mutant
proteins of cloned influenza virus genes which are expressed via SV40
vectors.  This approach will allow us to systematically change specific
amino acids in a single viral protein in an effort to identify those amino
acids which are crucial for the function of the protein.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125032
- **Project number:** 5R01AI011823-14
- **Recipient organization:** MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF CUNY
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Palese
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $255,157
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-05-01 → 1989-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125032

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125032, STUDIES WITH SYNTHETIC NEURAMINIDASE SUBSTRATES (5R01AI011823-14). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125032. Licensed CC0.

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