抗体选择压作用下H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA基因的变异

摘要：【目的】了解H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)在抗体选择压作用下的遗传变异。【方法】将制备疫苗用的LG1株H9N2亚型AIV分别接种含有母源抗体鸡胚(A组)和不含有母源抗体的SPF鸡胚(B组),并连续传代。其中A组再分为4 个独立的传代系列A1-4,B组再分为2 个独立传代系列B1-2。在每个传代系列,分别对第10,20,30,40,50 代病毒的HA基因进行扩增克隆测序,并与原始病毒的序列比较。【结果】LG1株H9N2在没有抗体的鸡胚的传代过程中,仅发生少数碱基的不稳定随机变异,且多为无义突变。在2 个传代系列的10 个代次病毒,共出现了29 个位点变异,有义突变(NS)与无义突变(S)比值NS/S为1.42 。但在有抗体的鸡胚的传代过程中,发生了多个呈现稳定遗传的有义突变。在4 个传代系列的20 个代次病毒,共出现了45 个位点变异,有义突变(NS)与无义突变(S)比值NS/S为3.46。【结论】在鸡胚传代过程中母源抗体提供的免疫选择压确实能影响H9N2的HA基因的变异。同时表明,带有母源抗体的鸡胚是实验室条件下研究免疫选择压对病毒抗原性变异影响的一种有效的实验模型。     

抗体选择压作用下新城疫病毒HN和F基因的演化及其抗原性变异的比较分析

TZ060107株新城疫病毒(NDV)在含有对它抗体的鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)培养上分3个独立系列连传50代,每10代扩增其HN和F基因并测序。选择变异最大的系列A1-50病毒,再在含有抗A1-50抗体的CEF培养上分3个独立系列连续传50代,同时设3个不带抗体的独立传代系列作为对照。对第60、70、80、90、100代病毒的HN和F基因序列比较结果显示,有抗体组HN基因的非同义突变(NS)对同义突变(S)比值NS/S为5.25,明显高于无抗体组NS/S的2.375。前50代在抗体选择压作用下已发生的稳定NS突变在含有抗A1-50抗体的细胞培养中传代仍能稳定保持,且又出现了一个新的稳定的NS突变位点。在有抗体组经传50代后F基因发生的稳定非同义突变,在抗A1-50血清作用下再连传50代后也仍然保持,且又出现3个新的稳定的NS突变。不同传代病毒与原始病毒间的血清交叉血球凝聚抑制试验结果表明,随着在含有抗NDV血清的细胞培养上传代代数的增加,病毒与原始病毒间在抗原性的差异越来越大。     

细胞培养上新城疫病毒HN基因在抗体免疫选择压作用下的抗原表位变异

本实验研究了抗体免疫选择压对新城疫病毒（NDV）HN基因和F基因变异的影响。将NDV野毒株TZ060107分别接种到含有抗NDV的单因子血清（A组）与不含抗体的（B组）鸡胚成纤维细胞中连续传代,每组设3个独立的传代系列。分别对第10,20,30,40,50代病毒的HN和F基因进行扩增克隆测序。序列比较结果显示,有抗体A组HN基因发生突变的位点数明显多于无抗体B组,且非同义突变（NS）与同义突变（S）比值NS／S为6,明显高于无抗体B组NS／S的3.4。在有抗体A组有5个碱基位点发生稳定的非同义突变,而且其中3个（aa#353,521和568）与已知的抗原表位密切相关。F基因在有抗体A组也出现2个稳定的非同义突变,无抗体B组没有产生稳定变异。但不论在有抗体A组还是无抗体B组,F基因变异的NS／S比均小于2.5。本研究表明,抗体免疫选择压可显著影响HN基因变异,但对F基因变异的影响小于HN基因。     

在抗体免疫选择压作用下鸡J亚群白血病病毒gp85基因的变异

将鸡J亚群白血病病毒(ALV-J)中国分离株NX0101接种到已长成单层鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)的六孔细胞培养板上, 分为A组(培养基中无抗体)和B组(培养基中含抗体), 每组设3个独立的传代系列. 分别对第10代、20代和30代病毒的囊膜糖蛋白基因(env)进行了克隆和测序. 序列比较结果表明: 原始病毒与无抗体A组不同传代系列的不同代次之间gp85氨基酸序列同源性为97.7%~99.7%; 而原始病毒与有抗体B组不同传代系列的不同代次之间gp85的氨基酸序列同源性为93.8%~96.1%. 对gp85高变区上有义突变(NS)与沉默突变(S)的比例计算分析表明, 无抗体A组三个传代系列在110~120, 141~151和189~194 aa这3个高变区域上NS/S的值分别为2(8/4), 1(3/3)和1.3(4/3); 有抗体B组三个传代系列在110~120, 140~150和188~193 aa这3个高变区域上NS/S的值分别为4.1(13/3), 4.7(14/3)和3.3(11/3). 该结果是在严格实验条件下显示特异性抗体这一免疫选择压对gp85基因变异的影响.     

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒NS第263～277位核苷酸缺失提高病毒对鸡的致病力

为研究2000年以来绝大多数H5N1亚型禽流感病毒分离株在非结构基因的第263~277位发生15个碱基缺失现象的生物学意义,构建H5N1 A/D/SD/04株HA、NA、NS的全基因表达/转录载体,以及NS的删除突变载体(m248),A/D/YZ/04株的NS基因表达/转录载体(848)和其补加15个核苷酸的NS突变载体(m848)。构建的载体分别与编码WSN(H1N1)内部基因载体进行组合转染,拯救获得4个具不同NS的重组的H5N1亚型流感病毒:RWSN-848和RWSN-m248在263~277位缺失15个碱基,RWSN-m848和RWSN-248则在相同位置不发生缺失。4个重组病毒的平均鸡胚繁殖效价(HA)、鸡胚的平均死亡时间(MDT)和鸡胚半数感染量(EID50)均无显著差异;但RWSN-848和RWSN-m248对6周龄SPF鸡的致病力明显高于RWSN-m848和RWSN-248。结果说明H5N1的NS基因在263~277位核苷酸发生缺失后,不影响重组H5N1在鸡胚中的繁殖性能,但提高了病毒对鸡的致病力。     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒在抗体免疫选择压下的变异

为了确定抗体选择压对PRRSV不同基因变异的影响, 将PRRSV野毒株SD0612分别在Marc-145细胞上做两个系列的连续传代, 系列Ⅰ培养液中不添加抗SD0612血清, 包括A, B, C 3个平行的传代系; 系列Ⅱ培养液中添加一定比例的抗SD0612血清, 包括D, E, F 3个平行的传代系. 上述传代系连续传代40代, 其中有抗体组40代突变株F40获得抗血清后按同样方法连续传代40代进行第二轮抗体选择压实验. 各传代系每隔10代收获病毒并对其ORF3, ORF4和ORF5进行扩增、克隆和序列分析. SD0612及其两次传代中有抗体组40代毒突变株F40和e40接种猪后收获血清, 进行3个毒株之间的交叉血清中和实验以测定其抗原相关性系数. 序列分析显示, 两次传代中有抗体组在ORF3, ORF4, ORF5的有义突变与无义突变比值(NS/S)分别为11.0和3.5, 0.5和0.67, 13.0和4.0; 无抗体组NS/S比值则仅为0.33~1.40. 有抗体组ORF5和ORF3分别有14和4个稳定的氨基酸突变位点, 而这些位点在无抗体组未被发现. 交叉血清中和实验结果显示, SD0612与有抗体组突变株F40和e40的抗原性相关系数分别为0.625和0.5. 上述结果表明, 抗体的选择压能够显著影响PRRSV的ORF5和ORF3的基因变异并能使其抗原性发生改变.     

鸡体内疫苗抗体选择压对H9N2亚型禽流感病毒内部基因演化的影响

在我国,接种疫苗是防控H9N2亚型禽流感(Avain influenza,AI)流行的主要措施。为了解H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(Avain influenza virus,AIV)在疫苗抗体选择压下的遗传变异情况,本研究选择A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98(H9N2,F/98)禽流感病毒分别在有和没有疫苗抗体选择压的SPF鸡体内连续传代。为了减少混合病毒对研究结果的干扰,我们建立了三个独立传代系列。结果表明,母本病毒在经过有和没有疫苗抗体选择压下连续传代后,两种模式下的传代病毒的内部基因都发生了基因突变。与没有疫苗抗体选择压下的传代病毒相比,有疫苗抗体选择压下的传代病毒氨基酸突变数量明显减少(P0.05),肺组织分离到的传代病毒的突变氨基酸数量显著多于相同传代条件下气管中分离到的传代病毒的氨基酸突变数量(P0.05)。此外,疫苗抗体选择压下的传代病毒V9L和V9T有4个特有突变:PB2(H366Q、A322E)和M(P154A、A246Q),没有疫苗抗体选择压下的传代病毒N9L和N9T有9个相同突变:PB2(I298Q、E526R)、PB1(T348A)、PA(L336M)、NP(G52A、L187G)、M(H23I)和NS(S81L、H85S),所有第9代次的传代病毒相同的突变有2个:PB2(R327K、Y369S)。值得注意的是,相比母本病毒没有疫苗抗体选择压下的传代病毒对鸡胚的感染力显著提高(P0.01),而有免疫选择压下的传代病毒对鸡胚的感染力相比母本病毒变化不大(P0.05),但丧失了致死鸡胚的能力。本研究对了解禽流感病毒在疫苗的选择压力下的演化规律,以及理解疫苗对病毒进化的影响具有重要参考意义。     

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒NS第263—277位核苷酸缺失提高病毒对鸡的致病力

为研究2000年以来绝大多数H5N1亚型禽流感病毒分离株在非结构基因的第263—277位发生15个碱基缺失现象的生物学意义,构建H5N1A／D／SD／04株HA、NA、NS的全基因表达／转录载体,以及NS的删除突变载体（m248）,A/D/YZ/04株的NS基因表达／转录载体（848）和其补加15个核苷酸的NS突变载体（m848）。构建的载体分别与编码WSN（H1N1）内部基因载体进行组合转染,拯救获得4个具不同NS的重组的H5N1亚型流感病毒：RWSN-848和RWSN—m248在263-277位缺失15个碱基。RWSN-m848和RWSN-248则在相同位置不发生缺失。4个重组病毒的平均鸡胚繁殖效价（HA）、鸡胚的平均死亡时间（MDT）和鸡胚半数感染量（EID50）均无显著差异;但RWSN-848和RWSN-m248对6周龄SPF鸡的致病力明显高于RWSN—m848和RWSN-248。结果说明H5N1的NS基因在263～277位核苷酸发生缺失后,不影响重组H5N1在鸡胚中的繁殖性能,但提高了病毒对鸡的致病力。     

共表达禽流感病毒HA和NA基因重组禽痘病毒的遗传稳定性

将表达禽流感病毒H5HA及N1NA基因的重组禽痘病毒rFPV HA NA连续传代至 2 5代 ,取第 5、15及 2 5代重组病毒作为受检代次 ,进行外源基因的PCR扩增与测序 ,同时比较这 3个代次重组禽痘病毒的免疫效力。结果对各代次重组病毒DNA的模板进行PCR扩增 ,均能够获得HA和NA两个目的片段 ;经测序证明两个外源基因在细胞传代过程中没有发生氨基酸水平的改变。动物试验结果表明 ,该重组病毒的毒力在细胞传代过程中没有发生变化 ,接种试验鸡后在鸡体内能够检测到外源基因的存在 ,各免疫组在免疫 2周后的抗体效价平均为 6 5log2 ,完全抵抗了高致病力禽流感病毒的攻击。以上结果表明此重组病毒具有较好的遗传稳定性 ,经过 2 5代的传代后 ,所插入的外源基因及其表达产物的免疫原性未见变化 ,重组病毒的免疫效力相当稳定。     

超强毒IBDV细胞克隆化毒回归鸡后的致病性与VP2基因高变区的分子变化

为了研究超强毒鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(vvIBDV)的致病性及其VP2基因高变区的分子变化,以vvIBDV GX8/99株囊毒为研究对象,将该毒在SPF鸡胚连传10代后,再在鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)上连续盲传.该病毒在CEF上传至22代时开始引发CEF细胞病变,随之在96孔细胞培养板上用无限稀释法连续克隆2次后获得了4个病毒克隆,再将该4个病毒克隆分别连续回传3～5周龄SPF鸡10代.分别比较4个克隆毒及其回传SPF鸡后不同传代毒,对4～6周龄SPF鸡的致病性及VP2高变区氨基酸分子的变化,结果表明,4个克隆化毒的细胞培养毒对SPF鸡只有0～6.7%的致死率,不同克隆毒的SPF鸡传代毒对SPF鸡的致病性却都逐渐增强,但程度差异很大,其中克隆#5在回鸡1、5和10代后的致死率从0分别增加到10%、20%和27%;克隆#4从6.7%增加至13%、17%和23%;但克隆#1和#3的致病性变化相对较小.相对于原始囊毒及鸡胚毒,4个克隆化毒在测序的VP2高变区的约145个氨基酸中,有10个位点发生了相同的变异,变得与适应细胞的疫苗毒D78株基本一致,在回鸡传代导致对鸡毒力增强的过程中,这10个位点中大多数氨基酸不再变化,只有第253位和256位氨基酸从囊毒的Q和I变为细胞适应毒的H和V后,有些病毒克隆回鸡至第10代时又变为原囊毒的Q和I,这表明VP2高变区大多数氨基酸的变异可能与病毒的致病性关系不密切,而与对细胞培养或组织的亲和性的关系更为密切.本研究最重要的意义在于建立的超强毒GX8/99株细胞克隆化毒及其相应的回鸡传代毒系列,为研究vvIBDV其它基因变异与致病性及其它生物学特性的关系,提供了一个新的思路和必要的研究材料.     

Evolution of gp85 gene of subgroup J avian leukosis virus under the selective pressure of antibodies

Subgroup J Avian leucosis virus (ALV-J) strain NX0101 was inoculated into chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) monolayers in 6-well plates. The six wells of CEF inoculated with NX0101 were divided into groups A (without anti-ALV-J serum in the medium) and B (with anti-ALV-J serum in the medium), then viruses from each well of both groups were separately passed in CEF every 6 d and formed their independent passage lineages. For each lineage of both groups, gp85 genes of the viruses in the 10th, 20th and 30th passages were amplified, cloned and sequenced. The sequence data indicated that the homologies of gp85 at aa level between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group A were 97.7%–99.7%; and the homologies of gp85 between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group B were 93.8%–96.1%. Analysis of the ratios of nonsynonium (NS) vs synonium (S) mutations of nucleic acids demonstrated that NS/S in 3 highly variable (hr-) regions at aa#110–120, aa#141–151 and aa#189–194 of gp85 in 3 lineages of group A were 2 (8/4), 1(3/3) and 1.3 (4/3), however, NS/S in the same 3 hr-regions of group B were 4.1 (13/3), 4.7 (14/3) and 3.3 (11/3). This study is the first demonstration of influence of immune selective pressure on evolution of ALV-J gp85 by specific antibodies under the controlled in vitro experiments.     

Epitope variation in the Newcastle disease virus <Emphasis Type="Italic">HN</Emphasis> gene under antibody immune selective pressure in cell culture

The influence of antibody immune selective pressure on Newcastle disease virus (NDV) HN and F gene mutations was studied in cell cultures. NDV field strain TZ060107 was inoculated into chicken embryo fibroblast cells and continuously passaged with (group A) or without (group B) anti-NDV monospecific serum. Each group contained three independent passage series. HN and F genes were amplified and sequenced for the 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th generations of each serial passage, and compared with the original strain. The results demonstrated that increased HN gene mutations were observed in group A with the antibody than in group B without the antibody. The nonsynonymous (NS) to synonymous (S) mutations ratio was 6 for group A, significantly higher than 3.4 in group B. In group A with the antibody, there were five stable NS mutations in HN gene, three of which (related to aa#353, 521 and 568) were related to known epitopes. There were two stable NS mutations in F gene in group A, but no stable NS mutations in group B. The NS/S ratios of F gene were less than 2.5 for both groups A and B. Our results suggested that the antibody strongly influenced HN gene mutations, while the F gene was less influenced by the same antibody.     

Evolution of gp85 gene of subgroup J avian leukosis virus under the selective pressure of antibodies

Subgroup J Avian leucosis virus (ALV-J) strain NX0101 was inoculated into chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) monolayers in 6-well plates. The six wells of CEF inoculated with NX0101 were divided into groups A (without anti-ALV-J serum in the medium) and B (with anti-ALV-J serum in the medium), then viruses from each well of both groups were separately passed in CEF every 6 d and formed their independent passage lineages. For each lineage of both groups, gp85 genes of the viruses in the 10th, 20th and 30th passages were amplified, cloned and sequenced. The sequence data indicated that the homologies of gp85 at aa level between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group A were 97.7%-99.7%; and the homologies of gp85 between the primary virus and the passed viruses of different passages of 3 lineages in group B were 93.8%-96.1%. Analysis of the ratios of nonsynonium (NS) vs synonium (S) mutations of nucleic acids demonstrated that NS/S in 3 highly variable (hr-) regions at aa#110-120, aa#141-151 and aa#189-194 of gp85 in 3 lineages of group A were 2 (8/4), 1(3/3) and 1.3 (4/3), however, NS/S in the same 3 hr-regions of group B were 4.1 (13/3), 4.7 (14/3) and 3.3 (11/3). This study is the first demonstration of influence of immune selective pressure on evolution of ALV-J gp85 by specific antibodies under the controlled in vitro experiments.     

Compensatory Hemagglutinin Mutations Alter Antigenic Properties of Influenza Viruses

Influenza viruses routinely acquire mutations in antigenic sites on the globular head of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Since these antigenic sites are near the receptor binding pocket of HA, many antigenic mutations simultaneously alter the receptor binding properties of HA. We previously reported that a K165E mutation in the Sa antigenic site of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) HA is associated with secondary neuraminidase (NA) mutations that decrease NA activity. Here, using reverse genetics, we show that the K165E HA mutation dramatically decreases HA binding to sialic acid receptors on cell surfaces. We sequentially passaged reverse-genetics-derived PR8 viruses with the K165E antigenic HA mutation in fertilized chicken eggs, and to our surprise, viruses with secondary NA mutations did not emerge. Instead, viruses with secondary HA mutations emerged in 3 independent passaging experiments, and each of these mutations increased HA binding to sialic acid receptors. Importantly, these compensatory HA mutations were located in the Ca antigenic site and prevented binding of Ca-specific monoclonal antibodies. Taken together, these data indicate that HA antigenic mutations that alter receptor binding avidity can be compensated for by secondary HA or NA mutations. Antigenic diversification of influenza viruses can therefore occur irrespective of direct antibody pressure, since compensatory HA mutations can be located in distinct antibody binding sites.     

In vitro selection and characterization of influenza A (A/N9) virus variants resistant to a novel neuraminidase inhibitor, A-315675

With the recent introduction of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors into clinical practice for the treatment of influenza virus infections, considerable attention has been focused on the potential for resistance development and cross-resistance between different agents from this class. A-315675 is a novel influenza virus NA inhibitor that has potent enzyme activity and is highly active in cell culture against a variety of strains of influenza A and B viruses. To further assess the therapeutic potential of this compound, in vitro resistance studies have been conducted and a comparative assessment has been made relative to oseltamivir carboxylate. The development of viral resistance to A-315675 was studied by in vitro serial passage of influenza A/N9 virus strains grown in MDCK cells in the presence of increasing concentrations of A-315675. Parallel passaging experiments were conducted with oseltamivir carboxylate, the active form of a currently marketed oral agent for the treatment of influenza virus infections. Passage experiments with A-315675 identified a variant at passage 8 that was 60-fold less susceptible to the compound. Sequencing of the viral population identified an E119D mutation in the NA gene, but no mutations were observed in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene. However, by passage 10 (2.56 microM A-315675), two mutations (R233K, S339P) in the HA gene appeared in addition to the E119D mutation in the NA gene, resulting in a 310-fold-lower susceptibility to A-315675. Further passaging at higher drug concentrations had no effect on the generation of further NA or HA mutations (20.5 microM A-315675). This P15 virus displayed 355-fold-lower susceptibility to A-315675 and >175-fold-lower susceptibility to zanamivir than did wild-type virus, but it retained a high degree of susceptibility to oseltamivir carboxylate. By comparison, virus variants recovered from passaging against oseltamivir carboxylate (passage 14) harbored an E119V mutation and displayed a 6,000-fold-lower susceptibility to oseltamivir carboxylate and a 175-fold-lower susceptibility to zanamivir than did wild-type virus. Interestingly, this mutant still retained susceptibility to A-315675 (42-fold loss). This suggests that cross-resistance between A-315675- and oseltamivir carboxylate-selected variants in vitro is minimal.     

Mutation of Neuraminidase Cysteine Residues Yields Temperature-Sensitive Influenza Viruses

The influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is a tetrameric, virus surface glycoprotein possessing receptor-destroying activity. This enzyme facilitates viral release and is a target of anti-influenza virus drugs. The NA structure has been extensively studied, and the locations of disulfide bonds within the NA monomers have been identified. Because mutation of cysteine residues in other systems has resulted in temperature-sensitive (ts) proteins, we asked whether mutation of cysteine residues in the influenza virus NA would yield ts mutants. The ability to rationally design tight and stable ts mutations could facilitate the creation of efficient helper viruses for influenza virus reverse genetics experiments. We generated a series of cysteine-to-glycine mutants in the influenza A/WSN/33 virus NA. These were assayed for neuraminidase activity in a transient expression system, and active mutants were rescued into infectious virus by using established reverse genetics techniques. Mutation of two cysteines not involved in intrasubunit disulfide bonds, C49 and C146, had modest effects on enzymatic activity and on viral replication. Mutation of two cysteines, C303 and C320, which participate in a single disulfide bond located in the beta5L0,1 loop, produced ts enzymes. Additionally, the C303G and C320G transfectant viruses were found to be attenuated and ts. Because both the C303G and C320G viruses exhibited stable ts phenotypes, they were tested as helper viruses in reverse genetics experiments. Efficiently rescued were an N1 neuraminidase from an avian H5N1 virus, an N2 neuraminidase from a human H3N2 virus, and an N7 neuraminidase from an H7N7 equine virus. Thus, these cysteine-to-glycine NA mutants allow the rescue of a variety of wild-type and mutant NAs into influenza virus.     

Computational studies of H5N1 influenza virus resistance to oseltamivir

Influenza A (H5N1) virus is one of the world's greatest pandemic threats. Neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors, oseltamivir and zanamivir, prevent the spread of influenza, but drug‐resistant viruses have reduced their effectiveness. Resistance depends on the binding properties of NA‐drug complexes. Key residue mutations within the active site of NA glycoproteins diminish binding, thereby resulting in drug resistance. We performed molecular simulations and calculations to characterize the mechanisms of H5N1 influenza virus resistance to oseltamivir and predict potential drug‐resistant mutations. We examined two resistant NA mutations, H274Y and N294S, and one non‐drug‐resistant mutation, E119G. Six‐nanosecond unrestrained molecular dynamic simulations with explicit solvent were performed using NA‐oseltamivir complexes containing either NA wild‐type H5N1 virus or a variant. MM_PBSA techniques were then used to rank the binding free energies of these complexes. Detailed analyses indicated that conformational change of E276 in the Pocket 1 region of NA is a key source of drug resistance in the H274Y mutant but not in the N294S mutant.     

Importance of neuraminidase active-site residues to the neuraminidase inhibitor resistance of influenza viruses

Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) are antivirals designed to target conserved residues at the neuraminidase (NA) enzyme active site in influenza A and B viruses. The conserved residues that interact with NAIs are under selective pressure, but only a few have been linked to resistance. In the A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2) recombinant virus background, we characterized seven charged, conserved NA residues (R118, R371, E227, R152, R224, E276, and D151) that directly interact with the NAIs but have not been reported to confer resistance to NAIs. These NA residues were replaced with amino acids that possess side chains having similar properties to maintain their original charge. The NA mutations we introduced significantly decreased NA activity compared to that of the A/Wuhan/359/95 recombinant wild-type and R292K (an NA mutation frequently reported to confer resistance) viruses, which were analyzed for comparison. However, the recombinant viruses differed in replication efficiency when we serially passaged them in vitro; the growth of the R118K and E227D viruses was most impaired. The R224K, E276D, and R371K mutations conferred resistance to both zanamivir and oseltamivir, while the D151E mutation reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir only (approximately 10-fold) and the R152K mutation did not alter susceptibility to either drug. Because the R224K mutation was genetically unstable and the emergence of the R371K mutation in the N2 subtype is statistically unlikely, our results suggest that only the E276D mutation is likely to emerge under selective pressure. The results of our study may help to optimize the design of NAIs.