Fatty acids on the A/Japan/305/57 influenza virus hemagglutinin have a role in membrane fusion.

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Abstract
The covalent attachment of fatty acid moieties to proteins is a widespread post‐translational modification of viral and cell proteins yet the functional consequences of acylation are not well understood. We have determined that the A/Japan/305/57 influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) contains three potential acylation sites at cysteine residues 211, 218 and 221 in the cytoplasmic domain of the molecule. Site‐directed mutagenesis of one or more of these sites has no effect on biosynthesis, transport or receptor binding activity of the molecule; however, modification of any single site is sufficient to abolish completely or inhibit severely membrane fusion activity, a function essential for virus infectivity. We present a molecular model of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the HA to illustrate the potential orientation of these fatty acids and to provide a conceptual framework for further experimentation.