Mutations in the hemagglutinin receptor-binding site can change the biological properties of an influenza virus.

Avian influenza virus reassortants containing human influenza virus hemagglutinins do not replicate in ducks. Two mutations in the receptor-binding site of a human hemagglutinin at residues 226 and 228 allowed replication in ducks. The mutations resulted in a receptor-binding-site sequence identical to the known avian influenza virus sequences.