# INFLUENZA B:  GENE SEQUENCES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 1991 · $154,962

## Abstract

The long-term goal of this project is to understand why influenza B changes
more slowly (and probably in a different mode) compared to influenza A, yet
causes as many epidemics in the human population. An understanding of the
molecular basis of the difference should lead to more effective vaccine
strategies. The neuraminidase has been selected for study since its
structure determination is under way, since it has an enzyme activity which
can be quantitatively measured, and since its activity can be replaced by
exogenously-added enzyme. The experiments will investigate the relative
importance of selection of antigenic variants, accuracy of replication,
selection to retain NA function, and selection for optimal base composition
or codon use, in variation of influenza B viruses compared to influenza A.
The specific aims are:

1. To characterize antigenic sites on the neuraminidase (NA) of a recent
type B epidemic virus, B/Memphis/3/89, and combining sites on anti-NA
antibodies.

Epitopes will be characterized using monoclonal antibodies and
identification of sequence changes in antibody-selected escape mutants, and
further delineated by site-directed mutagenesis of both antigen and
antibody.

2. To determine if the lower rate of change in influenza B is established
by the influenza B polymerase system.

This experiment takes advantage of newly-developed technologies to package
foreign genes into negative-stranded RNA viruses. The B/Mem/89 NA gene will
be placed in an influenza A background to determine if the slow rate of
change is a property of the B replication system, or if it results from
constraints on the protein or its gene.

3. To identify and compare other evolutionary pressures on the influenza
A and influenza B NA protein and gene.

To investigate evolution of the protein, sequence changes will be
determined in the influenza A and B NA when the viruses are grown under
conditions where there is no requirement for NA function. Evolutionary
pressures on the gene will be examined by replacing the influenza NA gene
with a bacterial NA gene which has a very different base composition.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127749
- **Project number:** 2R01AI018203-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YND4PLMC9AN7
- **Principal Investigator:** Gillian M Air
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $154,962
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1982-04-01 → 1995-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127749

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127749, INFLUENZA B:  GENE SEQUENCES (2R01AI018203-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127749. Licensed CC0.

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