They identified a gene that protects humans from the flu.

2023/07/03 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Mikrobiologia
• Genetika

A gene capable of blocking most strains of influenza has been identified in the human upper and lower respiratory tract. It is called BTN 3A3 and prevents RNA replication of the virus, that is, it does not allow it to reproduce. It is not effective against seasonal flu viruses.

Details of the research have been published in the journal Nature. Researchers have revealed that in recent times the flu has spread to wild and farmed birds and has reached other species. At the moment, few human beings have been contaminated and all of them have a close relationship with birds.

However, they have accepted that they still do not know well the transmission of influenza by fish to other species, and remember that the 1918 pandemic virus supposedly reached humans through birds. In order to clarify the keys to the transmission, they have analyzed the behavior of various genes involved in it, with respect to the strains of bazal flu and annual influenza. And you've seen that the BTN 3A3 gene is able to block the replication of most strains of flu. Conversely, seasonal human influenza viruses are resistant to BTN 3A3.

Common influenza viruses, which have become human pests, such as the H7N9 virus, have also been studied. Since 2013, it has contaminated more than 1,500 people and has a value rate of 10 percentage points of 40%. It has been proven to have a genetic mutation that allows it to escape the BTN 3A3 gene block.

Researchers have warned that viruses are constantly mutating and therefore genetic surveillance of viruses with zoonotic and pandemic capacity is essential to improve understanding and control of spread.