Scripps Research scientists identify mutation that could facilitate H5N1 bird flu virus infection and potential transmission in humans New findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance for H5N1 mutations that pose risks to public health.
December 05, 2024
LA JOLLA, CA Avian influenza viruses typically require several mutations to adapt and spread among humans, but what happens when just one change can increase the risk of becoming a pandemic virus? A recent study led by scientists at Scripps Research reveals that a single mutation in the H5N1 bird flu virus that has recently infected dairy cows in the U.S. could enhance the virus' ability to attach to human cells, potentially increasing the risk of passing from person to person. The findings published in Science on December 5, 2024 highlight the need to monitor H5N1's evolution.
Currently, there are no documented cases of H5N1 transmitting between people: bird flu cases in humans have been linked to close contact with contaminated environments as well as infected birds (including poultry), dairy cows and other animals. However, public health officials are concerned about the potential for the virus to evolve to transmit efficiently between humans, which could lead to a new, potentially deadly pandemic.
The flu virus attaches to its host via a protein called hemagglutinin that binds to glycan receptors on the surfaces of host cells. Glycans are chains of sugar molecules on cell surface proteins that can act as binding sites for some viruses. Avian (bird) influenza viruses like H5N1 primarily infect hosts with sialic acid-containing glycan receptors found in birds (avian-type receptors). While the viruses rarely adapt to humans, if they evolve to recognize sialylated glycan receptors found in people (human-type receptors), they could gain the ability to infect and possibly transmit between humans.
Monitoring changes in receptor specificity (the way a virus recognizes host cells) is crucial because receptor binding is a key step toward transmissibility, says Ian Wilson, DPhil, co-senior author and the Hansen Professor of Structural Biology at Scripps Research. That being said, receptor mutations alone don't guarantee that the virus will transmit between humans.
Past cases in which avian viruses adapted to infect and transmit between people required multiple mutations, usually at least three. But for the H5N1 2.3.4.4b strain (A/Texas/37/2024) isolated from the first human infection with a bovine H5N1 virus in the United States, researchers found that just a single amino acid mutation in the hemagglutinin could switch specificity to binding human-type receptors. Here, bovine refers to the species for dairy cows that were the immediate source of the virus for the human infection. Importantly, the mutation wasn't introduced into the whole virus only the hemagglutinin protein to study its receptor-binding properties.
For their study, the research team introduced several mutations into the H5N1 2.3.4.4b hemagglutinin protein that had been involved in receptor specificity changes in previous avian viruses. These mutations were selected to mimic genetic changes that could occur naturally. When the team assessed the impact of one of these mutations, Q226L, on the virus' ability to bind to human-type receptors, they found that that mutation significantly improved how the virus attached to glycan receptors, which represent those found in human cells.
The findings demonstrate how easily this virus could evolve to recognize human-type receptors, says first author Ting-Hui Lin, a postdoctoral associate at Scripps Research. However, our study doesn't suggest that such evolution has occurred or that the current H5N1 virus with only this mutation would be transmissible between humans.
Instead, the research team focused on understanding how natural mutations, like Q226L, could arise and what their impact might be. To investigate the potential mutations that could enable the H5N1 2.3.4.4b hemagglutinin to attach to human receptors, the team used advanced binding assays in collaboration with the lab of co-senior author James Paulson, PhD, the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Chair of Chemistry at Scripps Research. These assays, which are tests to mimic how well a virus attaches to a cell, allowed the researchers to precisely track how the altered H5N1 hemagglutinin interacted with human-type receptors.
Our experiments revealed that the Q226L mutation could significantly increase the virus' ability to target and attach to human-type receptors, explains Paulson. This mutation gives the virus a foothold on human cells that it didn't have before, which is why this finding is a red flag for possible adaptation to people.
The shift alone, however, may not be enough to enable human-to-human transmission. Other genetic changes such as mutations in polymerase basic 2 (E627K) that enhance viral replication and stability in human cells would likely be necessary for the virus to spread efficiently among people.
Nevertheless, given the rising number of H5N1 human cases stemming from direct contact with infected animals, the findings highlight the need for proactive surveillance of evolution in H5N1 and similar avian flu strains. While there's no immediate cause for alarm, the researchers stress that even a single mutation that changes how H5N1 binds to human cells shouldn't be overlooked.
Continuing to track genetic changes as they happen will give us an edge in preparing for signs of increased transmissibility, adds Wilson. This type of research helps us understand what mutations to watch for and how to respond appropriately.
In addition to Lin, Paulson and Wilson, authors of the study, A Single Mutation in Bovine Influenza H5N1 Hemagglutinin Switches Specificity to Human Receptors, include X
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
18/05/2026
Despite a bumpy start to the year, the provider of event-production support and ...
18/05/2026
Daktronics has partnered with the University of North Carolina to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totaling more than 10,000 square feet and more than 14...
18/05/2026
CBS LA has announced a multi-year partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, covering exclusive local broadcasts of Rams preseason games, weekly year-round programm...
18/05/2026
Skyline Communications has announced an integration between its DataMiner xOps p...
18/05/2026
eCLUTCH, the hybrid esports platform powered by iKOMG, has announced an expansion of its distribution across Europe, MENA, Africa, and Asia, along with new cont...
18/05/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/05/2026
With 22 games this season, the production team looks forward to tweaking and enhancing the coverage
After 8,660 days off the air, the WNBA returned to NBC yest...
18/05/2026
(L-R) Midori Francis and Natalie Erika James attend the Saccharine premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 22, 2026, in ...
18/05/2026
Last night, the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico returned to the country's capital. Now in its second year, the evening honors creators whose voices are hel...
18/05/2026
ZEN-Core synth goes mobile
Roland's powerful ZEN-Core software synthesizer has just been introduced to the iPad, offering a convenient entry point into ...
18/05/2026
Versatile new limiter plug-in announced
Based in Sheffield, UK, fedDSP offer a range of plug-ins that span the music production, live sound and high-end med...
18/05/2026
A new use for convolution?
Viiri Audio's debut plug-in aims to do something a little different with convolution processing, allowing users to adjust all...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
18/05/2026
The Australian Defence Force uses L3Harris T4 and T7 robots for explosive ordnan...
18/05/2026
Continued investment across Europe and Germany is expanding local teams and improving access to stock, regional expertise, and specialist broadcast support.
CV...
18/05/2026
18 May 2026
Dubai and New York, May 18, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a glob...
18/05/2026
Monday 18 May 2026
Sky News offers ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes for just...
18/05/2026
Comscore March 2026 Consumer AI Chatbot Usage Rankings Show Claude Gaining Share OpenAI's ChatGPT maintains lead while Anthropic's Claude continues to c...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
17/05/2026
Back to All News
Oasis Premieres on Netflix June 19
Entertainment
17 May 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Summer, sunshine, the beach, parties. T...
16/05/2026
Helps to deliver a clean, balanced midrange
Developed alongside Newfangled Audio, the latest plug-in in Eventide's software collection has been designed...
16/05/2026
Brings onboard stem rendering to RANE System One
Engine DJ have just released Engine DJ 5.0, a free update for their Engine DJ OS embedded hardware and Engi...
16/05/2026
Boris FX Continuum Pairs AI Precision and Advanced Creative Controls
Jessie Electa Petrov May 16, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026.5 release adds automatic de...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, in partnership with RAVE Foundation an...
15/05/2026
Dan Brumm has served as sound designer on Bluey, the Australian children's t...
15/05/2026
The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated are accepting applications for the 6th annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Schola...
15/05/2026
Netflix has announced an expanded NFL schedule for 2026 and beyond under a four-year partnership extension with the NFL through the 2029-30 season. Each season,...
15/05/2026
Ateme is supporting TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) with a contribution and d...
15/05/2026
Concacaf has announced the launch of a new website and mobile app built on Deltatre's FORGE platform. Concacaf.com and the mobile app, available on iOS and ...
15/05/2026
Eutelsat has announced the launch of QBC Business Economic Channel by Qatar Media Corporation, broadcasting in 4K/UHD via Eutelsat's 7/8 West video neighbo...
15/05/2026
Major League Soccer has announced four original content series timed to the 2026...
15/05/2026
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) has announced it will exhibit and present at InfoComm 2026, taking place June 13-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Cente...
15/05/2026
InfoComm 2026 will take place June 13-19 (exhibits June 17-19) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show will include sessions and exhibits covering broadcas...
15/05/2026
Tracy McGrady's Ones Basketball League (OBL) and FuboTV Inc. have announced ...
15/05/2026
Disguise has partnered with Creative Technology (CT) to deliver visual playback ...
15/05/2026
Sony Electronics has announced two new products for professional imaging: the Alpha 7R VI full-frame mirrorless camera and the FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS super-te...
15/05/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
15/05/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
15/05/2026
For sports organizations, the most valuable assets are often the most sensitive:...
15/05/2026
The NFL's broadcast partners released their 2026 regular season schedules ye...
15/05/2026
Besides drawing on experience with boxing, the production integrates specialty c...
Scripps Research scientists identify mutation that could facilitate H5N1 bird flu virus infection and potential transmission in humans New findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance for H5N1 mutations that pose risks to public health.
