Flu virus proton channel analyzed

Research groups at Harvard Medical School have identified and analyzed the structures of key surface protein of Influenza virus. Structure of M2, a key proton channel has been analyzed, which could explain the mechanisms of drug resistance in these viral types. Few viral strains are found to be resitsant to either of the antiviral drugs, zenamivir, oseltamivir, amantadine and remantadine, the mechanisms of which could be explained by the closed and open state structure of M2.