Does positive selection of sialic acid regulatory genes affect bats' influenza A virus carriage?
dc.contributor.advisor
Sloan, Richard
dc.contributor.advisor
Picozzi, Kim
dc.contributor.author
Campbell, Eilidh
dc.date.accessioned
2026-05-14T15:54:15Z
dc.date.issued
2026-05-14
dc.description.abstract
In the past two decades, four novel influenza A virus (IAV) strains have been identified in bats. Given bat species’ established role in viral emergence and cross-species transmission, a deeper understanding of host factors affecting their IAV carriage is required to prevent future spillover events. B4GALNT2, a host cell factor known to inhibit avian IAV entry by preventing α2,3 sialic acid receptor-mediated binding has been identified as under positive selection in bats. Evidence that bat B4GALNT2 is subject to positive selection suggests bat species may be evolving their sialic acid availability to regulate IAV infection. Here, we ask if bat B4GALNT2 alleles can regulate IAV H5 infection and if alleles subject to positive selection demonstrate enhanced functionality. Our work shows the first instance of non-human B4GALNT2-mediated antiviral activity. R. aegyptiacus B4GALNT2 alleles demonstrate the highest level of inhibition, yet considerable variations in B4GALNT2-mediated antiviral exist between splice variants. Conversely, despite displaying signatures of positive selection, R. trifoliatus B4GALNT2 expression does not appear to influence IAV infection.
Moreover, our analysis identifies several residues that may be important for bat B4GALNT2 antiviral functionality. The results generated throughout this study will enable further research into the antiviral role of B4GALNT2 and the differential patterns of inhibition observed between bat species' B4GALNT2 genes. By increasing comparative analysis between the genetic factors underlying zoonosis, we will improve our understanding of cross-species transmission and leverage these findings to prevent future viral emergence.
dc.identifier.uri
https://era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/44701
dc.identifier.uri
https://doi.org/10.7488/era/7216
dc.language.iso
en
dc.subject
B4GALNT2
dc.subject
avian influenza A virus
dc.subject
IAV
dc.subject
Positive Selection
dc.subject
Sialic Acid
dc.subject
Antiviral Activity
dc.title
Does positive selection of sialic acid regulatory genes affect bats' influenza A virus carriage?
dc.type
Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevel
Masters
dc.type.qualificationname
MSc(R) Master of Science by Research
Files
Original bundle
1 - 1 of 1
- Name:
- CampbellE_2026.pdf
- Size:
- 1.75 MB
- Format:
- Adobe Portable Document Format
This item appears in the following Collection(s)