VP6 capsid protein of chicken rotavirus strain CH2: sequence, phylogeny and in silico antigenic analyses

Virus Res. 2008 Nov;137(2):173-8. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.07.008. Epub 2008 Aug 21.

Abstract

The inner capsid protein VP6 of group A rotavirus possesses group and subgroup epitope specificities. Avian rotaviruses have a unique VP6 that is antigenically different from its mammalian counterpart. The lack of information on the VP6 protein of chicken rotavirus strain, CH2, at the genetic and antigenic level was a major motivation for this work. Sequencing of the complete cDNA of the VP6 gene of CH2, revealed a nucleotide (amino acid) identity that varied from 78.3 to 98.5% (86.4-98.2%) when compared with other avian rotaviruses. Regardless of its host origin dissimilarity, CH2 VP6 showed a close sequence homology (97.4-98.2%) with turkey and pigeon rotaviruses. Homology-based modeling of the CH2 VP6 from the corresponding crystal structure of the bovine rotavirus, RF strain, demonstrated that the hypervariable region (residue 228-240) does have a critical role in strain specific antigenic characteristics of avian and mammalian rotaviruses. A predicted conformational epitope encompasses experimentally characterized group and subgroup epitopes suggesting that it is a major antibody binding site on the VP6 protein. The VP6 structure modeling and conformational epitope prediction together with enzyme immuno assay of SG MAbs placed CH2 in SGI/II. The study may be helpful in designing peptides for group A rotavirus diagnostic assays and to achieve heterotypic protection against rotavirus serotypes.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / chemistry
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics*
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Capsid Proteins / chemistry
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics*
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Chickens / virology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny*
  • Poultry Diseases / virology*
  • Rotavirus / chemistry
  • Rotavirus / classification
  • Rotavirus / genetics*
  • Rotavirus / immunology
  • Rotavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Rotavirus Infections / virology
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Capsid Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EF687020