In influenza virus, the surface glycoprotein that cleaves terminal sialic acid residues so that newly formed virions can detach from the infected cell membrane and spread is:
- A Neuraminidase ✓
- B Hemagglutinin
- C M2 ion channel protein
- D Matrix (M1) protein
Correct answer: A. Neuraminidase
Explanation
Neuraminidase cleaves sialic acid receptors and permits release and spread of progeny virions, which is the step blocked by oseltamivir and zanamivir. Hemagglutinin performs the opposite action, binding sialic acid to mediate attachment and fusion, making it the best distractor. The M2 protein is an ion channel that allows acidification of the virion during uncoating and is the target of amantadine and rimantadine.
Reference: Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 12th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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