UMaine-led team discovers protein, lipid connection that could aid new influenza therapies

(University of Maine) For the first time, a connection is shown between influenza virus surface protein HA and host cell lipid PIP2. PIP2 controls cellular functions through signaling pathways it modulates. Many of these pathways control the actin cytoskeleton, a structural framework for cell shape, motility and membrane organization. Many proteins seen with HA are known to control the actin cytoskeleton and have known binding to PIP2, but the connection was not previously explained.

Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - March 5, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news