<prompt> Avian influenza HA viruses bindBeta 2-3 sialic acid receptorsAlpha 2-3 sialic acid receptorsBeta 2-6 sialic acid receptorsAlpha 2-6 sialic acid receptors  <response>: D Alpha 2-6 sialic acid receptors Genetic factors in distinguishing between human flu viruses and avian flu viruses include: PB2: RNA polymerase: Amino acid or residue position 627 in the PB2 protein encoded by the PB2 RNAgene. Until H5N1, all known avian influenza viruses had a Glu at position 627, while all human influenza viruses had a Lys. HA: hemagglutinin: Avian influenza HA viruses bind alpha 2-3 sialic acid receptors, while human influenza HA viruses bind alpha 2-6 sialic acid receptors. Swine influenza viruses have the ability to bind both types of sialic acid receptors. Hemagglutinin is the major antigen of the virus against which neutralizing antibodies are produced, and influenza virus epidemics are associated with changes in its antigenic structure. This was originally derived from pigs, and should technically be referred to as pig flu. 