Structure of the catalytic and antigenic sites in influenza virus neuraminidase.

The catalytic sites of influenza virus neuraminidase are located on the upper corners of the box-shaped tetramer that forms the head of the molecule. Antigenic determinants form a nearly-continuous surface across the top of the monomer encircling the catalytic site. Approximately the same number of amino acid sequence changes occurred in these determinants between the years 1968 and 1975 as occurred in the antigenic sites of influenza virus haemagglutinin in the same period.