Avian influenza virus mutates to replicate in mammalian cells, potentially leading to human outbreaks.

A new study by EMBL Grenoble reveals how avian influenza virus can mutate to replicate in mammalian cells, potentially leading to outbreaks in humans. The viral polymerase interacts with host cell protein ANP32, which differs between birds and mammals. Understanding this interaction can help study mutations in other avian influenza strains and develop targeted measures to prevent potential outbreaks in humans.