Large-scale Analysis of Influenza A Virus Sequences Reveals Universally Conserved Residues of Matrix Proteins

The matrix proteins of Influenza A Virus are multifunctional proteins. The matrix proteins of Influenza A Virus play imperative roles in the virus life cycle. The objective of the present study was to identify the residue conservation in the matrix proteins of Influenza A Virus. The study was based on 2836 amino acid sequences for the M1 protein and 3331 sequences for the M2 protein. Both the matrix proteins showed similar level of sequence conservation. On the whole, this study exposed residues which are universally conserved among different viral subtypes. These universally conserved residues might be involved in either structure stabilizing or protein-protein interactions. The conserved residues identified in the present study in conjunction with structural analysis of matrix proteins could form basis for designing universal anti-influenza drugs which are resistant to mutations arising in the future