Neuraminidase (NA)

Neuraminidase (NA) and hemagglutinin (HA) are major membrane glycoproteins found on the surface of influenza virus. Hemagglutinin binds to the sialic acid-containing receptors on the surface of host cells during initial infection and at the end of an infectious cycle. Neuraminidase, on the other hand, cleaves the HA-sialic acid bondage from the newly formed virions and the host cell receptors during budding. Neuraminidase thus is described as a receptor-destroying enzyme which facilitates virus release and efficient spread of the progeny virus from cell to cell.