The H3N2 Influenza-A Virus Wyoming/3/2003 Recombinant is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which is known for causing seasonal flu outbreaks in humans. The name “H3N2” is derived from the specific forms of two surface proteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). These proteins play crucial roles in the virus’s ability to infect host cells and spread within the host.
The H3N2 strain emerged from the H2N2 strain through a process known as antigenic shift, where genes from multiple subtypes reassorted to form a new virus. Both H2N2 and H3N2 strains contain genes from avian influenza viruses . The H3N2 strain has been dominant over other influenza subtypes like H1N1, H1N2, and influenza B in terms of prevalence .
The H3N2 Influenza-A Virus Wyoming/3/2003 Recombinant is produced using baculovirus vectors in insect cells. This recombinant virus is glycosylated with N-linked sugars and has a molecular weight of approximately 72,000 Daltons . The recombinant virus is typically formulated in a sterile, filtered, colorless solution containing 10mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.4), 150mM NaCl, and 0.005% Tween-20 .
The recombinant H3N2 A/Wyoming/2003/3 is primarily used for laboratory research purposes. It is not intended for use as drugs, agricultural or pesticidal products, food additives, or household chemicals . Researchers utilize this recombinant virus to study the influenza virus’s structure, function, and interactions with host cells, which can aid in the development of vaccines and antiviral therapies.