Role of Viral Glycoproteins in Haemolysis by Influenza B Virus

Abstract

Influenza B virus exhibited haemolytic activity at low pH, but the pH profile for its activity varied from strain to strain. The results of selective heat-inactivation of the enzyme activity of neuraminidase (NA) or elimination from virions of the enzyme-active portion of the NA molecule by trypsin digestion, suggest that proteolytically cleaved haemagglutinin, but not enzyme activity of NA, is essential for haemolysis by influenza B virus.