Antigenic drift
Antigenic Drift
Antigenic drift (/ænˈtɪdʒ.ə.nɪk drɪft/) is a mechanism for variation in viruses that involves the accumulation of mutations within the genes that code for antibody-binding sites.
Etymology
The term "antigenic drift" is derived from the Greek word "anti" meaning against, "gene" meaning to produce, and the English word "drift" meaning to change or vary over time. It was first used in the context of influenza viruses to describe the phenomenon of small, gradual changes that occur through point mutations in the two genes that code for the surface proteins hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
Definition
Antigenic drift is a form of genetic mutation in viruses, particularly the influenza virus, that results in small changes in the surface proteins of the virus. These changes can accumulate over time and result in viruses that are related but not identical to the original virus. This can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines and the immune system's ability to recognize and respond to the virus.
Related Terms
- Antigenic shift: A sudden change in the antigenic characteristics of a virus, resulting in a new subtype of virus. This is different from antigenic drift, which involves gradual changes over time.
- Hemagglutinin: A type of protein found on the surface of influenza viruses that allows the virus to bind to the host cell and initiate infection.
- Neuraminidase: Another type of protein found on the surface of influenza viruses that allows the virus to release new virus particles from the host cell after replication.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antigenic drift
- Wikipedia's article - Antigenic drift
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