Specificity and affinity of sialic acid binding by the rhesus rotavirus VP8* core

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrates that the rhesus rotavirus hemagglutinin specifically binds alpha-anomeric N-acetylneuraminic acid with a K(d) of 1.2 mM. The hemagglutinin requires no additional carbohydrate moieties for binding, does not distinguish 3' from 6' sialyllactose, and has approximately tenfold lower affinity for N-glycolylneuraminic than for N-acetylneuraminic acid. The broad specificity and low affinity of sialic acid binding by the rotavirus hemagglutinin are consistent with this interaction mediating initial cell attachment prior to the interactions that determine host range and cell type specificity.     

STD NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling investigation of the binding of N-acetylneuraminic acid derivatives to rhesus rotavirus VP8* core

The VP8* subunit of rotavirus spike protein VP4 contains a sialic acid (Sia)-binding domain important for host cell attachment and infection. In this study, the binding epitope of the N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) derivatives has been characterized by saturation transfer difference (STD) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. From this STD NMR data, it is proposed that the VP8* core recognizes an identical binding epitope in both methyl alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminide (Neu5Acalpha2Me) and the disaccharide methyl S-(alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminosyl)-(2-->6)-6-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside (Neu5Ac-alpha(2,6)-S-Galbeta1Me). In the VP8*-disaccharide complex, the Neu5Ac moiety contributes to the majority of interaction with the protein, whereas the galactose moiety is solvent-exposed. Molecular dynamics calculations of the VP8*-disaccharide complex indicated that the galactose moiety is unable to adopt a conformation that is in close proximity to the protein surface. STD NMR experiments with methyl 9-O-acetyl-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminide (Neu5,9Ac(2)alpha2Me) in complex with rhesus rotavirus (RRV) VP8* revealed that both the N-acetamide and 9-O-acetate moieties are in close proximity to the Sia-binding domain, with the N-acetamide's methyl group being saturated to a larger extent, indicating a closer association with the protein. RRV VP8* does not appear to significantly recognize the unsaturated Neu5Ac derivative [2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac2en)]. Molecular modeling of the protein-Neu5Ac2en complex indicates that key interactions between the protein and the unsaturated Neu5Ac derivative when compared with Neu5Acalpha2Me would not be sustained. Neu5Acalpha2Me, Neu5Ac-alpha(2,6)-S-Galbeta1Me, Neu5,9Ac(2)alpha2Me, and Neu5Ac2en inhibited rotavirus infection of MA104 cells by 61%, 35%, 30%, and 0%, respectively, at 10 mM concentration. NMR spectroscopic, molecular modeling, and infectivity inhibition results are in excellent agreement and provide valuable information for the design of inhibitors of rotavirus infection.     

轮状病毒LLR株VP7抗原表位的预测与验证

在GenBank中检索A组轮状病毒不同血清型的VP7基因信息,在氨基酸水平上与G10血清型LLR株的VP7序列进行序列对比,分析其血清型特异的氨基酸保守序列位点。结合蛋白质二级结构预测理论方案,设计合成3条具有轮状病毒G10血清型特异性氨基酸序列的多肽。通过检测合成肽对轮状病毒免疫血清与LLR抗原的结合抑制,证实三条多肽均具备了LLR表位属性。     

Secretion of the rotavirus VP8* protein in Lactococcus lactis

Secretion of the VP8* subunit of the VP4 capsid protein of rotavirus by Lactococcus lactis has been achieved. For this purpose, a secretion vector has been constructed with the lactococcal signal sequence AL9 and the VP8*-encoding gene fragment. The amount of VP8* secreted by L. lactis in the culture supernatant was quantified and visualised by Western blot. Furthermore, it was shown to retain its hemagglutination capability, indicating that the conformation of the secreted peptide may be retaining its biological activity.     

Spike protein VP8* of human rotavirus recognizes histo-blood group antigens in a type-specific manner

Rotaviruses (RVs), an important cause of severe diarrhea in children, have been found to recognize sialic acid as receptors for host cell attachment. While a few animal RVs (of P[1], P[2], P[3], and P[7]) are sialidase sensitive, human RVs and the majority of animal RVs are sialidase insensitive. In this study, we demonstrated that the surface spike protein VP8* of the major P genotypes of human RVs interacts with the secretor histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). Strains of the P[4] and P[8] genotypes shared reactivity with the common antigens of Lewis b (Le(b)) and H type 1, while strains of the P[6] genotype bound the H type 1 antigen only. The bindings between recombinant VP8* and human saliva, milk, or synthetic HBGA oligosaccharides were demonstrated, which was confirmed by blockade of the bindings by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to Le(b) and/or H type 1. In addition, specific binding activities were observed when triple-layered particles of a P[8] (Wa) RV were tested. Our results suggest that the spike protein VP8* of RVs is involved in the recognition of human HBGAs that may function as ligands or receptors for RV attachment to host cells.     

Human rotavirus K8 strain represents a new VP4 serotype.

The complete VP4 gene of the human rotavirus (HRV) K8 strain (G1 serotype) was cloned and inserted into the baculovirus transfer vector pVL941 under the control of the polyhedrin promoter. A K8VP4 recombinant baculovirus was obtained by cotransfection of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells with transfer vector DNA containing the K8VP4 gene and wild-type baculovirus DNA. Infection of Sf9 cells with this VP4 recombinant baculovirus resulted in the production of a protein that is similar in size and antigenic activity to the authentic VP4 of the K8 strain. Guinea pigs immunized with the expressed VP4 developed antibodies that neutralized the infectivity of the K8 strain. This antiserum neutralized HRV strains belonging to VP4 serotypes 1A, 1B, and 2 with efficiency eightfold or lower than that of the homologous virus, indicating that the human rotavirus K8 strain represents a distinct VP4 serotype (P3). In addition, low levels of cross-immunoprecipitation of the K8VP4 and its VP5 and VP8 subunits with hyperimmune antisera to HRV strains representing different VP4 serotype specificities also suggested that the K8 strain possesses a unique VP4 with few epitopes in common with other P-serotype strains.     

VP8* antigen produced in tobacco transplastomic plants confers protection against bovine rotavirus infection in a suckling mouse model

Group A rotavirus is a major leading cause of diarrhea in mammalian species worldwide. In Argentina, bovine rotavirus (BRV) is the main cause of neonatal diarrhea in calves. VP4, one of the outermost capsid proteins, is involved in various virus functions. Rotavirus infectivity requires proteolytic cleavage of VP4, giving an N-terminal non-glycosilated sialic acid-recognizing domain (VP8*), and a C-terminal fragment (VP5*) that remains associated with the virion. VP8* subunit is the major determinant of the viral infectivity and one of the neutralizing antigens.In this work, the C486 BRV VP8* protein was produced in tobacco chloroplasts. Transplastomic plants were obtained and characterized by Southern blot, northern blot and western blot. VP8* was highly stable in the transplastomic leaves, and formed insoluble aggregates that were partially solubilized by sonication. The recombinant protein yield was 600 μg/g of fresh tissue (FT). Both the soluble and insoluble fractions of the VP8* plant extracts were able to induce a strong immune response in female mice as measured by ELISA and virus neutralization test. Most important, suckling mice born to immunized dams were protected against oral challenge with virulent rotavirus. Results presented here contribute to demonstrate the feasibility of using antigens expressed in transplastomic plants for the development of subunit vaccines.     

Location of intrachain disulfide bonds in the VP5* and VP8* trypsin cleavage fragments of the rhesus rotavirus spike protein VP4.

Because the rotavirus spike protein VP4 contains conserved Cys residues at positions 216, 318, 380, and 774 and, for many animal rotaviruses, also at position 203, we sought to determine whether disulfide bonds were structural elements of VP4. Electrophoretic analysis of untreated and trypsin-treated rhesus rotavirus (RRV) and simain rotavirus SA11 in the presence and absence of the reducing agent dithioerythritol revealed that VP4 and its cleavage fragments VP5* and VP8* possessed intrachain disulfide bonds. Given that the VP8* fragments of RRV and SA11 contain only two Cys residues, those at positions 203 and 216, these data indicated that these two residues were covalently linked. Electrophoretic examination of truncated species of VP4 and VP4 containing Cys-->Ser mutations synthesized in reticulocyte lysates provided additional evidence that Cys-203 and Cys-216 in VP8* of RRV were linked by a disulfide bridge. VP5* expressed in vitro was able to form a disulfide bond analogous to that in the VP5* fragment of trypsin-treated RRV. Analysis of a Cys-774-->Ser mutant of VP5* showed that, while it was able to form a disulfide bond, a Cys-318-->Ser mutant of VP5* was not. These results indicated that the VP4 component of all rotaviruses, except B223, contains a disulfide bond that links Cys-318 and Cys-380 in the VP5* region of the protein. This bond is located between the trypsin cleavage site and the putative fusion domain of VP4. Because human rotaviruses lack Cys-203 and, hence, unlike many animal rotaviruses cannot possess a disulfide bond in VP8*, it is apparent that VP4 is structurally variable in nature, with human rotaviruses generally containing one disulfide linkage and animal rotaviruses generally containing two such linkages. Considered with the results of anti-VP4 antibody mapping studies, the data suggest that the disulfide bond in VP5* exists within the 2G4 epitope and may be located at the distal end of the VP4 spike on rotavirus particles.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding VP4 of a human rotavirus (strain K8) which has unique VP4 neutralization epitopes.

In our previous study (K. Taniguchi, Y. Morita, T. Urasawa, and S. Urasawa, J. Virol. 62:2421-2426, 1987) in which the cross-reactive neutralization epitopes on VP4 of human rotaviruses were analyzed, one strain, K8, was found to bear unique VP4 neutralization epitopes. This strain, which belongs to subgroup II and serotype 1, was not neutralized by any of six anti-VP4 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies which reacted with human rotavirus strains of serotypes 1, 3, and 4 or serotypes 1 through 4. We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding VP4 of strain K8 by primer extension. The VP4 gene is 2,359 base pairs in length, with 5' and 3' noncoding regions of 9 and 25 nucleotides, respectively. The gene contains a long open reading frame of 2,325 bases capable of coding for a protein of 775 amino acids. When compared with those of other human rotaviruses, VP4 of strain K8 had an insertion of one amino acid after residue 135, as found in simian rotavirus strains, and in addition, it had a deletion of one amino acid (residue 575). The amino acid homology of VP4 of strain K8 and those of other virulent human rotaviruses was only 60 to 70%. This was unusual, since over 90% VP4 homology has been found among the other virulent human rotavirus strains. In contrast, the VP7 amino acid sequence of the K8 strain was quite similar (over 98% homology) to those of other serotype 1 human rotaviruses. Thus, the K8 strain appears to have a unique VP4 gene previously not described.     

Isolation and molecular characterization of a serotype 9 human rotavirus strain.

A human rotavirus strain, designated AU32, that belongs to serotype 9 was isolated and was compared by RNA-RNA hybridization with recently established two serotype 9 strains (WI61 and F45) as well as other prototype human strains. These three strains exhibited a very high degree of homology with one another and shared a high degree of homology with strains belonging to the Wa genogroup but not with strains belonging to either the DS-1 or AU-1 genogroup. These results suggest that genetic constellation of the serotype 9 strains is similar to that of the commonest human rotavirus despite the recent recognition of this serotype.     

High-level expression of bovine rotavirus VP4 protein in Escherichia coli using a hepatitis B core antigen vector

Six regions of the VP4 protein of bovine rotavirus strain UKtc were expressed using hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) as a carrier. Following induction by IPTG, the six fusion proteins, AHBcAg through FHBcAg, were expressed in Escherichia coli to a level of 20–37% of total cellular protein. Soluble fusion proteins in a particulate form were partially purified with yields ranging from 0.5–6.4 mg l^–1 of culture.     

Selection of single-chain antibodies against the VP8* subunit of rotavirus VP4 outer capsid protein and their expression in Lactobacillus casei

Single-chain antibodies (scFv) recognizing the VP8* fraction of rotavirus outer capsid and blocking rotavirus infection in vitro were isolated by phage display. Vectors for the extracellular expression in Lactobacillus casei of one of the scFv were constructed. L. casei was able to secrete active scFv to the growth medium, showing the potential of probiotic bacteria to be engineered to express molecules suitable for in vivo antirotavirus therapies.     

Crystal structure of human DGCR8 core

A complex of Drosha with DGCR8 (or its homolog Pasha) cleaves primary microRNA (pri-miRNA) substrates into precursor miRNA and initiates the microRNA maturation process. Drosha provides the catalytic site for this cleavage, whereas DGCR8 or Pasha provides a frame for anchoring substrate pri-miRNAs. To clarify the molecular basis underlying recognition of pri-miRNA by DGCR8 and Pasha, we determined the crystal structure of the human DGCR8 core (DGCR8S, residues 493-720). In the structure, the two double-stranded RNA-binding domains (dsRBDs) are arranged with pseudo two-fold symmetry and are tightly packed against the C-terminal helix. The H2 helix in each dsRBD is important for recognition of pri-miRNA substrates. This structure, together with fluorescent resonance energy transfer and mutational analyses, suggests that the DGCR8 core recognizes pri-miRNA in two possible orientations. We propose a model for DGCR8's recognition of pri-miRNA.     

Yeast expression of the VP8* fragment of the rotavirus spike protein and its use as immunogen in mice

The VP8* fragment from the rotavirus spike protein was expressed as a fusion protein with two different cell wall proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Icwp (Ssr1p) and Pir4, to achieve cell wall targeting or secretion to the growth medium of the fusion proteins. Two different host strains were used for the expression of the fusion proteins, a standard S. cerevisiae strain and a mnn9 glycosylation deficient strain, the later to reduce hyper-glycosylation. The Icwp-VP8* fusion could only be detected in the growth medium, indicating that the presence of the VP8* moiety interferes with the anchorage of Icwp to the cell wall. In the case of the Pir4-VP8* fusion proteins, we achieved cell wall targeting or secretion depending on how the gene fusion had been performed. In all cases, the fusion proteins expressed in the mnn9 strain showed a reduced level of glycosylation. Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally either with Pir4-VP8* or Icwp-VP8* fusion proteins purified from the growth medium of mnn9 strains expressing them or with whole cells of an mnn9 strain expressing a Pir4-VP8 fusion protein on its cell walls. Hundred percent of mice inoculated with the Pir4-VP8* fusion protein and 25% of those inoculated with the Icwp-VP8* fusion protein showed high titers of anti-VP8* antibodies. No specific immune response was detected in those mice inoculated with whole cells. Finally, susceptibility to rotavirus infection of the offspring of immunized dams was determined and protection was found in a percentage of approximately 60% with respect to the control group.     

Distribution of conserved and specific epitopes on the VP8 subunit of rotavirus VP4.

Three cDNA clones comprising the VP8 subunit of the VP4 of human rotavirus strain KU (VP7 serotype G1; VP4 serotype P1A) G1 were constructed. The corresponding encoded peptides were designated according to their locations in the VP8 subunit as A (amino acids 1 to 102), B (amino acids 84 to 180), and C (amino acids 150 to 246 plus amino acids 247 to 251 from VP5). In addition, cDNA clones encoding peptide B of the VP8 subunit of the VP4 gene from human rotavirus strains DS-1 (G2; P1B) and 1076 (G2; P2) were also constructed. These DNA fragments were inserted into plasmid pGEMEX-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli. Western immunoblot analysis using antisera to rotavirus strains KU (P1A), Wa (P1A), DS-1 (P1B), 1076 (P2), and M37 (P2) demonstrated that peptides A and C cross-reacted with heterotypic human rotavirus VP4 antisera, suggesting that these two peptides represent conserved epitopes in the VP8 subunit. In contrast, peptide B appears to be involved in the VP4 serotype and subtype specificities, because it reacted only with the corresponding serotype- and subtype-specific antiserum. Antiserum raised against peptide A, B, or C of strain KU contained a lower level of neutralizing activity than did that induced by the entire VP8 subunit. In addition, the serotype-specific neutralizing activity of anti-KU VP8 serum was ablated after adsorption with the KU VP8 protein but not with a mixture of peptides A, B, and C of strain KU, suggesting that most of the serotype-specific epitopes in the VP8 subunit are conformational and are dependent on the entire amino acid sequence of VP8.     

Cloning and expression of human rotavirus spike protein, VP8*, in Escherichia coli

A system for the expression and purification of soluble VP8*, part of the human rotavirus (HRV) spike protein, was established by expressing VP8* as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST). VP8 cDNA, from the Wa strain of HRV, was prepared by RT-PCR, cloned into a pUC18 plasmid, and inserted into a pGEX-4T-2 GST fusion vector. The GST-VP8* fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the VP8* was purified by Glutathione Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography, yielding 1.8 mg VP8*/L culture. The purified VP8* was used to vaccinate chickens, eliciting antibodies which displayed high neutralization activity against the Wa strain of HRV, suggesting its use for the induction of specific neutralizing antibodies for potential immunotherapeutic applications for the prevention of HRV infection.     

轮状病毒VP4*高聚体的制备及其免疫保护性评价

在前期工作中发现,截短的轮状病毒VP4~*蛋白(aa26–476)在大肠杆菌中能够以可溶形式表达,且在小鼠模型中具有较高的免疫原性和免疫保护性。本研究通过颗粒化进一步提高VP4~*蛋白的免疫保护性。通过37℃水浴加热处理24h使VP4~*蛋白多聚化,通过高效液相色谱、透射电镜、分析超离等分析VP4~*蛋白颗粒化程度,通过酶联免疫吸附试验分析颗粒化对VP4~*蛋白与中和抗体反应性的影响;通过差示量热法分析VP4~*高聚体的热稳定性;最后,通过小鼠母传抗体模型研究颗粒化对VP4~*免疫原性和免疫保护性的影响。结果表明,VP4~*蛋白高聚体结构均一,并且相比三聚体,具有更高热稳定性和中和抗体结合活性;在内毒素20 EU/mg的条件下,与铝佐剂混合,刺激小鼠产生更高滴度的中和抗体;对轮状病毒导致的腹泻具有更高的免疫保护性。综上所述,VP4~*高聚体的研究为轮状病毒基因工程亚单位疫苗的研制提供了更广阔的思路。     

Similarity of the outer capsid protein VP4 of the Gottfried strain of porcine rotavirus to that of asymptomatic human rotavirus strains.

Genomic segment 4 of the porcine Gottfried strain (serotype 4) of porcine rotavirus, which encodes the outer capsid protein VP4, was sequences, and its deduced amino acid sequence was analyzed. Amino acid homology of the porcine rotavirus VP4 to the corresponding protein of asymptomatic or symptomatic human rotaviruses representing serotypes 1 to 4 ranged from 87.1 to 88.1% for asymptomatic strains and from 77.5 to 77.8% for symptomatic strains. Amino acid homology of the Gottfried strain to simian rhesus rotavirus, simian SA11 virus, bovine Nebraska calf diarrhea virus, and porcine OSU strains ranged from 71.5 to 74.3%. Antigenic similarities of VP4 epitopes between the Gottfried strain and human rotaviruses were detected by a plaque reduction neutralization test with hyperimmune antisera produced against the Gottfried strain or a Gottfried (10 genes) x human DS-1 rotavirus (VP7 gene) reassortant which exhibited serotype 2 neutralization specificity. In addition, a panel of six anti-VP4 monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing human rotaviruses belonging to serotype 1, 3, or 4 was able to neutralize the Gottfried strain. These observations suggest that the VP4 outer capsid protein of the Gottfried rotavirus is more closely related to human rotaviruses than to animal rotaviruses.     

Serotype-specific epitope(s) present on the VP8 subunit of rotavirus VP4 protein.

cDNA clones representing the VP8 and VP5 subunits of VP4 of symptomatic human rotavirus strain KU (VP7 serotype 1 and VP4 serotype 1A) or DS-1 (VP7 serotype 2 and VP4 serotype 1B) or asymptomatic human rotavirus strain 1076 (VP7 serotype 2 and VP4 serotype 2) were constructed and inserted into the pGEMEX-1 plasmid and expressed in Escherichia coli. Immunization of guinea pigs with the VP8 or VP5 protein of each strain induced antibodies that neutralized the rotavirus from which the VP4 subunits were derived. In a previous study (M. Gorziglia, G. Larralde, A.Z. Kapikian, and R. M. Chanock, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:7155-7159, 1990), three distinct serotypes and one subtype of VP4 outer capsid protein were identified among 17 human rotavirus strains that had previously been assigned to five distinct VP7 serotypes. The results obtained by cross-immunoprecipitation and by neutralization assay with antisera to the VP8- and VP5-expressed proteins suggest that the VP8 subunit of VP4 contains the major antigenic site(s) responsible for serotype-specific neutralization of rotavirus via VP4, whereas the VP5 subunit of VP4 is responsible for much of the cross-reactivity observed among strains that belong to different VP4 serotypes.