Hemagglutinin Protein of Influenza A Virus (H7 Subtype) (HA (H7))

The hemagglutinin (HA) protein is a major surface glycoprotein of the Influenza A virus, responsible for binding the virus to host cell receptors and facilitating viral entry. The H7 subtype refers specifically to one of the 18 known HA subtypes found in influenza A viruses. HA mediates attachment of the influenza virus to sialic acid-containing receptors on host cells, initiating infection, and also facilitates fusion between viral and endosomal membranes after endocytosis, allowing release of viral RNA into the host cytoplasm. Avian influenza A viruses with H7 can be either highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). Recent studies show some North American lineage H7N2/H7N3 isolates possess increased affinity for human-like α2–6 SA linkages—an adaptation associated with pandemic potential—and can transmit efficiently between ferrets via direct contact models used as surrogates for human transmission studies.

Other names

H7 HemagglutininInfluenza A H7 HAHA0 (H7 precursor)