A Secondary Sialic Acid Binding Site on Influenza Virus Neuraminidase: Fact or Fiction?

Abstract : One flu over the cuckoo's nest: The biological significance of a secondary sialic acid binding site on influenza virus neuraminidase remains elusive. On blocking the active site influenza-virus-containing virus-like particles with oseltamivir carboxylate, binding to α(2,3)-sialyllactose is still detected. Thus the sialyllactose must bind at a secondary sialic acid binding site (see structures: docking study of α(2,3)-sialyllactose in the secondary binding site of avian flu neuraminidase).