Production of neuraminidase in cell monolayers infected with influenza virus.

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the presence of the enzyme neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) is characteristic of myxoviruses, the synthesis of neuraminidase during myxovirus infections has so far been examined in few systems, and only using cells obtained from chicken eggs or embryos1–3. We report here the production of influenza virus neuraminidase in cell lines of mammalian origin, together with a simple method suitable for the routine detection of neuraminidase activity in cell monolayers.