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Kenneth Lavender

Mrs. Rausch

Biotech Period 6

18th May 2017

Protein Modeling Project

Influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person and can be

deadly, especially in high-risk groups. There are 3 types of seasonal influenza viruses, types A,

B, and C. Influenza type A viruses are further classified into subtypes according to the

combinations of 2 different proteins. The model is a an example of Influenza type A subtype H

or Haemagglutinin.

The History of Influenza

Medical historians have used contemporary reports to identify probable influenza

epidemics and pandemics from as early as 412 BCE – and the term “influenza” was first used in

1357 CE, describing the supposed “influence” of the stars on the disease. The first verified report

of an epidemic of the disease was from 1694, and reports of epidemics and pandemics in the 18th

century increased in quality and quantity. The first pandemic that historians agree on was in

1580: this started in Asia, and spread to Africa, took in the whole of Europe in 6 months, and

even got to the Americas. Subsequent pandemics with significant death rates occurred in 1729

and 1781-2. There was a major pandemic in 1880-1883 that attacked up to 25% of affected

populations and another in 1898-1900.

Where Influenza is located and how it transmits

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Influenza viruses are found in body fluids such as saliva and mucous and commonly

transmitted via tiny, airborne droplets created through sneezing and coughing. Depending on the

conditions and temperature of the environment, the Influenza virus can remain infectious for up

to one month. Transmission occurs as a new host comes into contact with viruses dispersed into

the air or onto surfaces of objects. Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and washing

surfaces and hands greatly inhibits transmission.

The function and importance of Haemagglutinin

Haemagglutinin is one of two proteins in Avian or Seasonal Influenza. It’s primary

function in the cell is to recognize and bind to sialic acid on the host cell. The importance of the

protein is to manage membrane fusion between the viral membrane and the host cell. In addition,

this protein is one of many “viral coat proteins”. A viral coat protein is a part of a capsid: a

capsid is the protein shell of a virus. It consists of several structural subunits made of proteins

called protomers. This capsid can form into three different shapes. Influenza is a