Primary structure of the neutralization antigen of simian rotavirus SA11 as deduced from cDNA sequence.

DNA sequences complementary to the double-stranded RNA coding for the neutralization antigen (glycoprotein VP7) of simian rotavirus SA11 have been cloned. The VP7 gene consists of 1,062 nucleotides, containing an uninterrupted coding sequence of 978 nucleotides which specifies a glycoprotein of 326 amino acids. The significance of a second possible initiation site 30 nucleotides downstream from the first is discussed. Partial amino acid sequence of this glycoprotein showed unequivocally that the cloned segment (segment 9) codes for glycoprotein VP7 of SA11. The resulting amino acid sequence contained only one carbohydrate acceptor site. Possible sites of membrane interaction and antigenic determinants are discussed based on the analysis of the hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity profiles of VP7.     

Transgenic Tobacco Expressing a Modified VP6 Gene Protects Mice Against Rotavirus Infection

Elevated expression of the rotavirus VP6 antigen in transgenic plants is a critical factor in the development of a safe and effective rotavirus vaccine. Using codon optimization, a gene that encodes the inner capsid protein VP6 of the human group A rotavirus was synthesized （sVP6）. The VP6 and sVp6 genes were transformed into tobacco （Nicotiana tabacum L.） plants using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The expression level of the sVP6 gene in transgenic plants was 3.8-34-fold higher than that of controls containing the non-modified VP6 gene, accounting for up to 0.34% of the total soluble protein （TSP）. Then, BALB/ c female mice that had been gavaged weekly with 10 mg TSP containing 34 p.g VP6 protein, in which VP6-specific serum IgG and mucosal IgA antibodies were investigated. The severity and duration of diarrhea caused by simian rotavirus SA-11 challenge were reduced significantly in passively immunized pups, which indicates that anti-VP6 antibodies generated in orally immunized female mice can be passed onto pups and provide heterotypic protection. An edible vaccine based on the VP6 of human rotavirus group A could provide a means to protect children and young animals from severe acute diarrhea.     

A组人轮状病毒VP6基因克隆及在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

轮状病毒(rotavirus RV) 结构蛋白VP6位于病毒三层衣壳结构的中间层,在病毒粒子的形成过程中起重要的作用。从临床样品中分离的人轮状病毒TB-Chen株VP6基因通过RT-PCR得到扩增产物。以pET作为表达载体,将VP6蛋白编码基因序列插入到质粒pET中成功构建原核表达质粒pET-VP6。实验表明,带有pET-VP6质粒的大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)可以高效表达目的蛋白VP6,重组表达产物VP6占菌体总蛋白的27.4%, 其分子量约为45 kDa,并且能被豚鼠抗SA11血清抗体识别（Western blot）。这一结果为进一步研究VP6的结构和功能奠定了重要的物质基础。     

Molecular and antigenic characterization of porcine rotavirus YM, a possible new rotavirus serotype.

In 1983, we isolated a porcine rotavirus (strain YM) that was prevalent in several regions of Mexico, as judged by the frequency of its characteristic electropherotype. By a focus reduction neutralization test, rotavirus YM was clearly distinguished from prototype rotavirus strains belonging to serotypes 1 (Wa), 2 (S2), 3 (SA11), 4 (ST3), 5 (OSU), and 6 (NCDV). Minor, one-way cross-neutralization (1 to 5%) was observed when antisera to the various rotavirus strains were incubated with rotavirus YM. In addition, the YM virus was not neutralized by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies with specificity to serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 5. The subgroup of the virus was determined to be I by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To characterize the serotype-specific glycoprotein of the virus at the molecular level, we cloned and sequenced the gene coding for VP7. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with reported homologous sequences from human and animal rotavirus strains belonging to six different serotypes further supported the distinct immunological identity of the YM VP7 protein.     

Immunization with baculovirus-expressed VP4 protein passively protects against simian and murine rotavirus challenge.

A baculovirus-expressed VP4 protein derived from the simian rhesus rotavirus (RRV) was used to parenterally immunize murine dams. VP4-immunized dams developed high levels of neutralizing antibodies against RRV and low levels of cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against human strains Wa, ST3, and S2 and animal strains SA-11, NCDV, and Eb. Newborn mice suckled on VP4-immunized dams were protected against a virulent challenge dose of the simian strain RRV and against murine rotavirus Eb. The cross-reactive nature of the serum-neutralizing response generated by VP4 immunization and the protective efficacy of the immunization suggest that recombinant-expressed VP4 proteins should be considered as viable vaccine candidates.     

新成人腹泻轮状病毒J19株的全基因组克隆和VP4、VP6和VP7基因序列分析

为了进一步了解新成人腹泻轮状病毒J19株的基因和蛋白特征,利用一种改良的非依赖核酸序列的单引物扩增方法扩增J19株的11个基因,克隆到pMD18-T载体中并进行测序。在此基础上,将主要抗原蛋白VP4、VP6和VP7的蛋白序列与其它轮状病毒的相关蛋白序列进行比较分析并对VP6蛋白序列做遗传进化分析。结果获得J19株11个基因的全长基因序列。基因序列分析表明J19株的第3、6和第9基因分别长2 512bp、1 287bp和820bp,它们分别预测编码抗原蛋白VP4(823aa)、VP6(396aa)和VP7(258aa)。组成J19株的VP4、VP6和VP7蛋白序列对B组轮状病毒的CAL株、IDIR株以及ADRV株的相关蛋白序列的一致性分别是27.6%、38.5%和22.3%。对分组抗原蛋白VP6的遗传进化分析表明,J19株在进化树上的位置靠近外群蛋白分支以及A、B和C组轮状病毒分支的根部,而且它比较偏向于B组轮状病毒的分支。J19株的VP4、VP6和VP7蛋白序列与其它轮状病毒的相应蛋白序列存在显著差异。VP6蛋白序列的遗传进化分析表明J19株可能是一个新组轮状病毒的代表性毒株;同时,它也可能是一个与B组轮状病毒的起源和进化密切相关的毒株之一。关于新成人腹泻轮状病毒J19株11个基因的克隆及VP4、VP6和VP7基因的序列分析,这是第一次报道。     

Comparative analysis of the VP3 gene of divergent strains of the rotaviruses simian SA11 and bovine Nebraska calf diarrhea virus.

The gene encoding outer capsid protein VP3 of subpopulations of two animal rotaviruses, simian SA11 and Nebraska calf diarrhea virus (NCDV), was analyzed. Two laboratory strains of simian SA11 rotavirus (SA11-SEM and SA11-FEM) differed with respect to VP3. This dimorphism was indicated by a difference in electrophoretic mobility and a difference in reactivity with anti-VP3 monoclonal antibodies. The overall VP3 amino acid homology between the two SA11 VP3 proteins was 82.7%, whereas the VP3 protein of SA11-FEM was 98.5% homologous in amino acid sequence to NCDV VP3, suggesting that SA11-FEM VP3 was derived by gene reassortment in the laboratory during contamination with a bovine rotavirus. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the VP3 of two virulent NCDV strains and an attenuated NCDV strain (RIT 4237), revealed only five amino acid differences which were scattered throughout the protein but did not involve the trypsin cleavage sites. Of interest, the VP3 of the standard strain of NCDV which is virulent for cows differed in only one amino acid (position 23, Gln to Lys) from the VP3 of an NCDV mutant which was attenuated both for cows and for children.     

G1型A组轮状病毒地方株VP7基因在杆状病毒系统中的表达

Ａ组轮状病毒是导致婴幼儿重症腹泻的最主要病毒病原,每年因轮状病毒腹泻造成的死亡超过１００万人。ＶＰ７是病毒外壳上的主要糖蛋白,具有中和抗原活性,与病毒的毒力及免疫保护性有关。也是划分血清型的主要标志,而对疫苗的研究证明,不同血清型之间的交叉保护作用甚...     

Nucleotide sequence and corresponding amino acid sequence of the gene for the major antigen of foot and mouth disease virus

A segment of 1160 nucleotides of the FMDV genome has been sequenced using three overlapping fragments of cloned cDNA from FMDV strain O1K. This sequence contains the coding sequence for the viral capsid protein VP1 as shown by its homology to known and newly determined amino acid sequences from this man antigenic polypeptide of the FMDV virion. The structural gene for VP1 comprises 639 nucleotides which specify a sequence of 213 amino acids for the VP1 protein. The coding sequence is not flanked by start and stop codons which is consistent with the mode of biosynthesis of VP1 by post-translational processing of a polyprotein precursor.     

人A组轮状病毒北京地方株VP4血清型特异片段编码基因的序列分析

轮状病毒是引起婴幼儿严重腹泻的重要病原,其第四基因编码主要中和抗原VP4,而VP4可裂解为VP8和VP5两个片段。VP8为抗原型特异性片段。克隆并测定了具有代表性的三个轮状病毒北京株VP4编码基因5′端（VPS＋VPS一部分）887个核苷酸序列并据此推导出其氨基酸序列。结果表明,相同血清型的地方株和标准株之间具有高度同源性（92％～966％）,不同血清型间则变异较大（70．5％～71％）。氨基酸最大变异处位于aa84～172,并对胰酶作用位点在致病性中的可能性进行了讨论。     

A general strategy for cloning double-stranded RNA: nucleotide sequence of the Simian-11 rotavirus gene 8

Using Simian-11 rotavirus RNA, a strategy has been developed for the production of full length cloned copies of the genes of double-stranded (dsRNA) viruses. Genomic RNA segments were polyadenylated and reverse transcribed to yield a mixture of full length cDNA copies of both possible polarities. The cDNAs were annealed, filled in to complete any partial copies, tailed and inserted into the PstI site of pBR322 using dG/dC tailing. Cloned rotavirus cDNA gene copies were assigned to genomic RNA segments by Northern hybridization. The complete sequence of gene 8 which codes for NCVP3, a non-structural protein of SA11 rotavirus, was determined from a cloned gene copy. It is 1059 bases in length and has an open reading frame which could code for a protein containing 317 amino acids. The apparent 5' and 3' terminal non coding regions are 46 and 59 bases in length, respectively. The sequence ATGTGACCOH at the 3' end of the plus strand is conserved in four of the eleven genes examined. The cloning procedures used should be generally applicable to viruses with segmented dsRNA genomes.     

在昆虫细胞中表达G2型轮状病毒地方株VP7基因

Ａ组轮状病毒是导致婴幼儿重症腹泻的最主要病毒病原,ＶＰ７是病毒外壳上的主要糖蛋白,它具有中和抗原活性,与病毒的毒力及免疫保护性有关,也是划分病毒血清型的最主要标志之一〔１〕。ＶＰ７基因及其编码蛋白一直是人们研究的主要对象,很多研究工作和诊断试剂都需大...     

Interactions between the two surface proteins of rotavirus may alter the receptor-binding specificity of the virus.

The infection of target cells by most animal rotavirus strains requires the presence of sialic acids (SAs) on the cell surface. We recently isolated variants from simian rotavirus RRV whose infectivity is no longer dependent on SAs and showed that the mutant phenotype segregates with the gene coding for VP4, one of the two surface proteins of rotaviruses (the other one being VP7). The nucleotide sequence of the VP4 gene of four independently isolated variants showed three amino acid changes, at positions 37 (Leu to Pro), 187 (Lys to Arg), and 267 (Tyr to Cys), in all mutant VP4 proteins compared with RRV VP4. The characterization of revertant viruses from two independent mutants showed that the arginine residue at position 187 changed back to lysine, indicating that this amino acid is involved in the determination of the mutant phenotype. Surprisingly, sequence analysis of reassortant virus DS1XRRV, which depends on SAs to infect the cell, showed that its VP4 gene is identical to the VP4 gene of the variants. Since the only difference between DS1XRRV and the RRV variants is the parental origin of the VP7 gene (human rotavirus DS1 in the reassortant), these findings suggest that the receptor-binding specificity of rotaviruses, via VP4, may be influenced by the associated VP7 protein.     

Rotavirus YM gene 4: analysis of its deduced amino acid sequence and prediction of the secondary structure of the VP4 protein.

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the VP4 gene of porcine rotavirus YM. It is 2,362 nucleotides long, with a single open reading frame coding for a protein of 776 amino acids. A phylogenetic tree was derived from the deduced YM VP4 amino acid sequence and 18 other available VP4 sequences of rotavirus strains belonging to different serotypes and isolated from different animal species. In this tree, VP4 proteins were grouped by the hosts that the corresponding viruses infect rather than by the serotypes they belong to, suggesting that this protein is involved in the host specificity of the viruses. In an attempt to predict the secondary structure of the VP4 protein, we selected the more divergent VP4 sequences and made a secondary structure analysis of each protein. In spite of variations within the individual structures predicted, there was a general structural pattern which suggested the existence of at least two different domains. One, comprising the amino-terminal 63% of the protein, is predicted to be a possible globular domain rich in beta-strands alternated with turns and coils. The second domain, represented by the remaining, carboxy-terminal part of VP4, is rich in long stretches of alpha-helix, one of which, 63 amino acids long, has heptad repeats resembling those found in proteins known to form alpha-helical coiled-coils. The predicted secondary structure correlates well with the available data on the protein accessibility delineated by immunological and biochemical findings and with the spike structure of the protein, which has been determined by cryoelectron microscopy.     

Antibodies specific for the carboxy-terminal region of the major surface glycoprotein of simian rotavirus (SA11) and human rotavirus (Wa)

Antibodies specific for the major outer capsid protein (VP7) of the simian rotavirus SA11 were obtained by immunization of rabbits with a synthetic peptide, Ser-Ala-Ala-Phe-Tyr-Tyr-Arg-Val, corresponding to the eight carboxy-terminal amino acids of the viral protein predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the gene segment 9 of the SA11 genome. As the carboxy-terminal region of the VP7 of human rotavirus Wa has an identical sequence, cross-reactivity of the raised antibodies was observed with this strain.     

The rhesus rotavirus outer capsid protein VP4 functions as a hemagglutinin and is antigenically conserved when expressed by a baculovirus recombinant.

Rhesus rotavirus (RRV) gene 4 was cloned into lambda bacteriophage, inserted into a polyhedrin promoter shuttle plasmid, and expressed in Sf9 cells by a recombinant baculovirus. The baculovirus-expressed VP4 protein made up approximately 5% of the Spodoptera frugiperda-infected cell protein. Monoclonal antibodies that neutralize the virus bound to the expressed VP4 polypeptide, indicating that the expressed VP4 protein was antigenically indistinguishable from viral VP4. In addition, we have determined that the baculovirus-expressed VP4 protein bound to erythrocytes and functions as the RRV hemagglutinin. The endogenous hemagglutinating activity of the VP4 protein, like the virus, was inhibited by guinea pig antirotavirus hyperimmune serum and by VP4-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. The human erythrocyte protein, glycophorin, also inhibited hemagglutination by RRV or the expressed VP4 protein and appears to be the rotavirus erythrocyte receptor. The baculovirus-expressed VP4 protein was conserved functionally and antigenically in the absence of other outer or inner capsid rotavirus components and represents a logical candidate for future immunological studies.