Hemagglutinin
Hemagglutinin
Hemagglutinin (/hɪˌmæɡˈluːtɪnɪn/) is a type of protein that is found on the surface of influenza viruses. It plays a crucial role in the virus infection process by enabling the virus to bind to and enter the host cell.
Etymology
The term "hemagglutinin" is derived from the Greek words haima, meaning "blood", and gloutinos, meaning "glue". This refers to the protein's ability to cause red blood cells to clump together, or agglutinate.
Function
Hemagglutinin is a glycoprotein that facilitates the attachment of the virus to the host cell's surface. It does this by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of the cell. Once bound, the virus can then enter the cell and begin the process of replication.
Related Terms
- Neuraminidase: Another protein found on the surface of influenza viruses that helps the newly formed virus particles to leave the host cell.
- Antigenic drift: A mechanism for variation in viruses that involves the accumulation of mutations within the genes that code for antibody-binding sites.
- Antigenic shift: A sudden change in the antigenic characteristics of a virus, resulting in a new subtype of virus.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hemagglutinin
- Wikipedia's article - Hemagglutinin
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