Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses. The virus is divided into three main types (Influenza virus A, Influenza virus B, and Influenza virus C), which are distinguished by differences in two major internal proteins (hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), which are the most important targets for the immune system. The type A viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among the three influenza types and cause the most severe disease. Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) is a trimer of identical subunits, each of which contains two polypeptides that result from proteolytic cleavage of a single precursor. The two polypeptides are designated HA1 and HA2. The HA2 monomer is a long helical chain, anchored into the membrane, and is “topped” by a “globule” of HA1. Cleavage of the precursor is essential for activation of membrane fusion potential and hence infectivity. For HAs of most subtypes, the site of cleavage is a single arginine residue, and cleavage occurs extracellularly by an as yet unidentified enzyme. However, some members of the H5 and H7 subtypes have acquired a series of basic residues at the cleavage site, which are recognized by an intracellular subtilisin-like enzyme. In these cases, cleavage is efficient, virus infectivity is high, and the viruses are highly pathogenic. The avian H5 influenza, which continues to spread throughout the world, excluding the Americas, is caused by such viruses. The structure of HA has been reviewed by Gamblin and Skehel in 2010.
Recombinant protein corresponding to Asp17- Gln531 from Influenza A [A/Hong Kong/483/97 (H5N1)] Hemagglutinin (HA) protein, fused to His-Tag at C-terminal, expressed in HEK293 cells.
Molecular Weight:~60.3kD (calculated), DTT-reduced migrates as a band of ~66-100kD.
Purity:≥95% (SDS-PAGE)
Form:Supplied as a lyophilized powder from DPBS, pH 7.4. Reconstitute with 1ml sterile ddH2O. Solubilize for 30 to 60 minutes at RT with occasional gentle mixing.
Storage and Stability:Lyophilized and reconstituted products are stable for 6 months after receipt at -70°C. Reconstitute with sterile ddH2O. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -70°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.
