Genomics Revolution

Brianna Bays and Melika King 

Episode 42

Influenza Type B Virus

 

Script:

     Welcome to Genomics Revolution.  This is Brianna Bays and Melika King from the 2020 Hiram College Genetics course hosting this episode over Influenza virus type B commonly known as the flu virus.  The common symptoms are fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, sore throat, and nasal congestion (1).  Complications can rise due to immune status and underlying medical conditions (1).

 

In 1892 two physicians Richard Pfeiffer and Shibasaburo Kitasato worked at a lab in Berlin claimed discovery of a new bacterium (2).  Since the flu is seasonal, other people had a hard time investigating the correlation between influenza B and the true cause of the illness.  Until the next outbreak in 1918 when Peter Olitsky and Frederick Gates provided strong evidence to prove influenza B was the cause (2).  Modern techniques used to identify influenza B are reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence assays and rapid molecular assays (1).

 

All human influenza viruses are enveloped negative-strand RNA viruses with segmented genomes containing seven to eight gene segments (3).  Influenza B has eight and it comprises about 14,000 nucleotides (3).  This genome has four proteins in the envelope: hemagglutinin(HA), neuraminidase (NA), NB, and BM2 (3).  HA and NA are surface proteins and these are considered antigenic sites where the body’s immune system develops antibodies to bind to (3).  To test for antigenic changes, scientists can use hemagglutinin inhibition assay essentially seeing how well antibodies bind to it making the influenza virus inactive.  The NB protein is believed to be an ion channel (3) and the BM2 protein is a proton channel that is important for the uncoating process (4).  Uncoating refers to the deliverying of the viral genome to the host cell for replication. Influenza viruses recognizes N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid on the host cell surface (4).  N-acetylneuraminic are found on glycoconjugates (5).

 

Having the knowledge about this genome, scientists then can compare it to other viral genomes of influenza B to see if there are any genetic variations.  That allows them to create a more effective vaccine.  To look at the genome the CDC uses techniques like ‘the Sanger reaction’ and advanced molecular detection (1).  It is important to understand influenza B just like any other virus because it can be prevented from spreading and helps scientists come up with an effective treatment.  This virus is commonly seen in humans and seals so we do not see as many genetic changes as we do with influenza A viruses (1).  Currently influenza B viruses are classified into two genetic lineages - Yamagata and Victoria (6).

 

 It is important to understand influenza B just like any other virus.  Having scientific knowledge about this virus and knowing its genome can help correlate to studies of viruses that may come about in the future and help us gain insight about their mechanisms, based on the genomes' similarities and differences.  Knowing the mechanisms also allows scientists to come up with an effective treatment not just for Influenza B but other viruses as well.  Lastly, everyone having an understanding of how a virus like influenza B spreads, we all can help prevent or slow down the infection rate.  Thank you for listening.

References: 

6.     Types of Influenza Viruses. (2019). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 10 April 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm