H5N1 Mutation Blunts Binding

VancouverMutations in a human H5N1 case weakened its receptor grip.

Receptor binding is the gate scientists watch for bird flu’s jump to sustained human spread.

Two mutations, E190D and Q226H, left the virus unable to bind avian-type or human-type receptors in lab tests.

Researchers say a similarly mixed mutation population complicates tracking exactly which variant emerges in future patients.

Sources: Nature Communications