Mutations in the hemagglutinin receptor-binding site can change the biological properties of an influenza virus

Abstract

Avian influenza virus reassortants containing human influenza virus hemagglutinins do not replicate in ducks. Two mutations in the receptor-binding site of a human hemagglutinin at residues 226 and 228 allowed replication in ducks. The mutations resulted in a receptor-binding-site sequence identical to the known avian influenza virus sequences.