Human Parainfluenza Virus Type-3 is a ssRNA virus belonging to the paramyxovirus family. Paramyxoviruses gain entry into cells through the interaction of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein and fusion protein. The HN protein performs three functions -- attachment to the host cell, cleavage the fusion protein, and activation of the fusion protein. By creating a variety of point mutations in the HN protein, we observed the interaction of the HN protein with the fusion protein. The hemadsorption assay revealed that all mutations analyzed in this project displayed wild type hemagglutinin activity, however one mutant lost the ability to trigger fusion. This loss of fusion function was not due to a reduced mutant HN protein on the surface since FACs analysis was normal.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Portnoy Mitchell, Andrea Lynne

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042508-075817

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright