Why did 2.3.4.4b clade #H5N1 need a long stalk N1, unlike the previous clades H5N1s?
We identified the emergence of 2.3.4.4b #H5 HA with a distinct #glycosylation pattern in its RBD that drove its preferential pairing with long stalk N1 and the emergence of this novel variant.

Our observations led us to establish and validate the hypothesis that the pairing of #avian #influenza virus HA and NA subtypes is not stochastic but is rather molecularly regulated by HA glycosylation and NA stalk length.

We identified the emergence of 2.3.4.4b H5 HA with a distinct #glycosylation pattern in its #RBD that drove its preferential pairing with #longStalk N1 and the emergence of this novel variant.

Why did the 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 become a #panzootic virus? Given its unprecedented spread, it's important to ask this Qstn.
We reported last year, 2.3.4.4b H5N1 features long stalk N1, unlike prev clades. All mammals infected with H5N1 after 2020 (also B3.13&D1.1) show long stalk N1.

Inflammatory cells death comes as an important process determining tissue damage and inflammation. We attempted to explain how this contributes to viral tolerance in bats🦇 Fantastic working with @virology.bsky.social in this discussion. Superb contribution by Subham, Disha, Priyansh&Rita.

Tracking the evolution of classical human adapting variations in non-human mammal H5N1 indicate partial gain of classical human adaptive signatures in PA and PB2 of non-human mammal-adapted 2.3.4.4b H5N1.

Our attempt to provide insights into:
How non-human mammal 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 is evolving and possibly attaining human adaptation and infection?
An unbiased map of 2.3.4.4bH5N1 adaptations in diverse hosts is much needed to follow up on #human H5N1 infections
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...