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Viral glycoproteins as determinants of pathogenicity

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Conclusion

With myxoviruses we are now beginning to understand the complex biological phenomenon of pathogenicity at the molecular level. Proteolytic activation of the viral glycoproteins proved to be a very important determinant for pathogenicity. Variations in pathogenicity are the result of structural variations of the glycoproteins. The available evidence indicates that these structural variations are confined to the cleavage site, i.e., to a small but functionally important part of the molecule.

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Klenk, H.D., Garten, W., Bosch, F.X. et al. Viral glycoproteins as determinants of pathogenicity. Med Microbiol Immunol 170, 145–153 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02298195

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