Cloning and sequence of UK bovine rotavirus gene segment 7: marked sequence homology with simian rotavirus gene segment 8

Molecular characterization of the porcine group A rotavirus NSP2 and NSP5/6 genes from São Paulo State, Brazil, in 2011/12

Rotaviruses are responsible for the acute diarrhea in various mammalian and avian species. The nonstructural proteins NSP2 and NSP5 are involved in the rotavirus replication and the formation of viroplasm, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies within which new viral particles morphogenesis and viral RNA replication occur. There are few studies on the genetic diversity of those proteins; thus this study aims at characterizing the diversity of rotavirus based on NSP2 and NSP5 genes in rotaviruses circulating in Brazilian pig farms. For this purpose, 63 fecal samples from pig farms located in six different cities in the São Paulo State, Brazil, were screened by nested RT-PCR. Seven strains had the partial nucleotide sequencing for NSP2, whereas in six, the total sequencing for NSP5. All were characterized as genotype H1 and N1. The nucleotide identity of NSP2 genes ranged from 100% to 86.4% and the amino acid identity from 100% to 91.5%. For NSP5, the nucleotide identity was from 100% to 95.1% and the amino acid identity from 100% to 97.4%. It is concluded that the genotypes of the strains circulating in the region of study are in agreement with those reported in the literature for swine and that there is the possibility of interaction between human and animal rotaviruses.

Uniformity of rotavirus strain nomenclature proposed by the Rotavirus Classification Working Group (RCWG)

In April 2008, a nucleotide-sequence-based, complete genome classification system was developed for group A rotaviruses (RVs). This system assigns a specific genotype to each of the 11 genome segments of a particular RV strain according to established nucleotide percent cutoff values. Using this approach, the genome of individual RV strains are given the complete descriptor of Gx-P[x]-Ix-Rx-Cx-Mx-Ax-Nx-Tx-Ex-Hx. The Rotavirus Classification Working Group (RCWG) was formed by scientists in the field to maintain, evaluate and develop the RV genotype classification system, in particular to aid in the designation of new genotypes. Since its conception, the group has ratified 51 new genotypes: as of April 2011, new genotypes for VP7 (G20-G27), VP4 (P[28]-P[35]), VP6 (I12-I16), VP1 (R5-R9), VP2 (C6-C9), VP3 (M7-M8), NSP1 (A15-A16), NSP2 (N6-N9), NSP3 (T8-T12), NSP4 (E12-E14) and NSP5/6 (H7-H11) have been defined for RV strains recovered from humans, cows, pigs, horses, mice, South American camelids (guanaco), chickens, turkeys, pheasants, bats and a sugar glider. With increasing numbers of complete RV genome sequences becoming available, a standardized RV strain nomenclature system is needed, and the RCWG proposes that individual RV strains are named as follows: RV group/species of origin/country of identification/common name/year of identification/G- and P-type. In collaboration with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the RCWG is also working on developing a RV-specific resource for the deposition of nucleotide sequences. This resource will provide useful information regarding RV strains, including, but not limited to, the individual gene genotypes and epidemiological and clinical information. Together, the proposed nomenclature system and the NCBI RV resource will offer highly useful tools for investigators to search for, retrieve, and analyze the ever-growing volume of RV genomic data.

Sequence analysis of three non structural proteins of a porcine group C (Cowden strain) rotavirus

Sequences of three gene products of a group C (Cowden strain) rotavirus are presented and compared with the sequences of the corresponding group A (SA11) proteins. The degree of similarity for gene 7, 9, and 10 is respectively 34%, 58%, and 45%. Comparison of these 2 viruses allowed to identify several regions well conserved. In the protein coded by Cowden segment 7 (NS 53) only a short cystein and histidine rich region, presenting the zinc finger consensus motif, is common to group A (segment 5) and group C sequences. Conversely the protein coded by segment 9 (NS 35) presented marked homology with group A NS 35. The protein coded by segment 10 (NS 26) is serine rich and presents an accumulation of charged residues near the carboxy terminus, like group A counterpart. This genomic segment presented a single large open reading frame, that contrasts with the group A counterpart for which a second out of phase ORF is used in rotavirus infected MA 104 cells.

Assembly of recombinant rotavirus proteins into virus-like particles and assessment of vaccine potential

Rotavirus structural proteins VP4, VP6 and VP7 from Bovine Rotavirus Strain C486 were cloned and expressed in a baculovirus expression system. Combinations of the proteins were assembled into a series of virus-like particles, and a murine model was used to determine the capacity of the recombinant proteins and particles to induce protective immunity. All of the proteins induced humoral immunity as measured by an ELISA against whole virus. However, only the antisera from animals immunized with VP4 neutralized virus and inhibited haemagglutination. Challenge of neonates born to animals immunized with VP4 protein on assembled particles or in cell lysates showed protection against challenge with both homologous (bovine C486) and heterologous (SA-11) strains of rotavirus. In contrast, the offspring of mice immunized with VP6 were only partially protected. Neonates of animals immunized with virus-like particles composed of VP7 assembled on VP6 spherical particles were protected against challenge with the homotypic virus and significantly protected from a heterotypic challenge whereas unassembled VP7 protein provided only partial protection against challenge.

Nucleotide sequence of the cDNA for porcine rotavirus VP7 gene (strain K)

The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding one of the neutralizing proteins VP7 of the new porcine strain K is determined. The deduced VP7 amino acid sequence of the K strain showed a high homology (93%) and a lower homology (75%) to those of the Gottfried and OSU strains, respectively. This finding suggests that strain K is more closely related to the Gottfried strain serotype 4.

Assembly of double-shelled rotaviruslike particles by simultaneous expression of recombinant VP6 and VP7 proteins

Simultaneous coinfection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells with baculovirus recombinants containing the genes for VP6 and VP7 of bovine rotavirus strain C486 resulted in the production of spherical particles resembling smooth, double-shelled rotavirus. These particles were predominantly located in the cell culture supernatant instead of being cell associated. Pretreatment of infected-cell culture supernatants with CaCl2, prior to particle purification, was found to enhance the smooth appearance of the particles. The authenticity of the proteins making up the particles was demonstrated by their reactivity with antiserum specific for double-shelled C486 rotavirus.

Conservation of a potential metal binding motif despite extensive sequence diversity in the rotavirus nonstructural protein NS53

The nucleotide sequence for the simian rotavirus SA11 gene segment 5 has been determined. The gene is 1611 nucleotides in length and contains a single open reading frame of 1485 nucleotides. The segment codes for the nonstructural protein NS53 which is predicted to be a polypeptide of 495 amino acids with a molecular weight of 58,484. When compared to the sequence of bovine RF gene segment 5 there are homologies of only 49 and 36% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. This is in marked contrast to the situation with other rotavirus nonstructural proteins which are highly conserved between isolates. Nevertheless, there is a conserved region between amino acids 37-81 which contains a generalized motif for a metal binding domain. All eight cysteine and two histidine residues in this short sequence are conserved between the simian and bovine NS53 proteins. The conservation of this domain despite extensive sequence diversity in the remainder of the protein suggests that this region is functionally important.

NS35 and not vp7 is the soluble rotavirus protein which binds to target cells

Recent studies using radiolabeled rotavirus lysates have demonstrated a 35-kilodalton viral protein that binds specifically to the surface of MA104 cells (N. Fukuhara, O. Yoshie, S. Kitakoa, and T. Konno, J. Virol. 62:2209-2218, 1988; M. Sabara, J. Gilchrist, G.R. Hudson, and L.A. Babiuk, J. Virol. 53:58-66, 1985). The binding protein was identified as vp7, an outer capsid glycoprotein and the product of rotavirus gene 9. These studies concluded that vp7 mediated viral attachment to MA104 cells and that the binding of a soluble viral protein to a cell monolayer mirrored the attachment of infectious rotavirus to permissive tissue culture cells. In the process of determining which viral protein adheres to the in vivo target cell in rotavirus infection, the mammalian enterocyte, we found that a similar 35-kilodalton rhesus rotavirus (RRV) protein bound to both MA104 cells and murine enterocytes. However, further analysis of this protein by immunoprecipitation, inhibition of glycosylation, and partial proteolysis showed that it was not the RRV gene 9 product, vp7, but the gene 8 product, NS35. Similar results were obtained by using porcine rotavirus (OSU) and bovine rotavirus (NCDV) strains. Binding studies using the in vitro-expressed products of RRV genes 8 and 9 confirmed these results. Since double-shelled virions inhibited the binding of NS35 to cells, we looked for the presence of this protein in preparations of purified virus. Examination of density gradient-purified virus preparations revealed biochemical and immunological evidence that NS35 copurifies in small amounts with double-shelled virions. Thus, these studies clearly demonstrated that when rotavirus proteins are prepared in a soluble form from infected cells, NS35, and not vp7, binds to the surfaces of MA104 cells and murine enterocytes. The observations do not confirm previous experimental results which supported the hypothesis that vp7 was the viral attachment protein. They are consistent with but do not prove the hypothesis that NS35 functions as the rotavirus attachment protein.

Rotavirus gene structure and function

Knowledge of the structure and function of the genes and proteins of the rotaviruses has expanded rapidly. Information obtained in the last 5 years has revealed unexpected and unique molecular properties of rotavirus proteins of general interest to virologists, biochemists, and cell biologists. Rotaviruses share some features of replication with reoviruses, yet antigenic and molecular properties of the outer capsid proteins, VP4 (a protein whose cleavage is required for infectivity, possibly by mediating fusion with the cell membrane) and VP7 (a glycoprotein), show more similarities with those of other viruses such as the orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and alphaviruses. Rotavirus morphogenesis is a unique process, during which immature subviral particles bud through the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). During this process, transiently enveloped particles form, the outer capsid proteins are assembled onto particles, and mature particles accumulate in the lumen of the ER. Two ER-specific viral glycoproteins are involved in virus maturation, and these glycoproteins have been shown to be useful models for studying protein targeting and retention in the ER and for studying mechanisms of virus budding. New ideas and approaches to understanding how each gene functions to replicate and assemble the segmented viral genome have emerged from knowledge of the primary structure of rotavirus genes and their proteins and from knowledge of the properties of domains on individual proteins. Localization of type-specific and cross-reactive neutralizing epitopes on the outer capsid proteins is becoming increasingly useful in dissecting the protective immune response, including evaluation of vaccine trials, with the practical possibility of enhancing the production of new, more effective vaccines. Finally, future analyses with recently characterized immunologic and gene probes and new animal models can be expected to provide a basic understanding of what regulates the primary interactions of these viruses with the gastrointestinal tract and the subsequent responses of infected hosts.

Sequences of VP9 genes from short and supershort rotavirus strains

Segment 10 genes from a short (RV-5, serotype G2) and a supershort (B37, a new G serotype) strain were cloned and their sequences compared to the (corresponding) segment 11 sequences of Wa, SA11, and UK rotaviruses. The determined nucleotide sequences were 817 (RV-5) and 947 (B37) bases in length and showed extensively conserved 5' noncoding and protein coding regions. The major open reading frame codes for a protein of 200 (RV-5) or 198 (B37) amino acids, and the newly proposed second open reading frame can code for a protein of 92 amino acids. Compared to long strain gene segments, the base sequences of the short and supershort strains were found to contain extended, AT-rich 3' noncoding regions which were not significantly homologous to each other, to other parts of the VP9 gene, or to other rotavirus genes that have been sequenced. The function(s) of these 3' regions is not apparent.

Nucleotide sequence of UK bovine rotavirus segment 4: possible host restriction of VP3 genes

The bovine UK and simian SA11 rotaviruses are commonly used VP7-type reference strains. Since the surface protein VP3 is a significant neutralization antigen, it is important to fully characterize the VP3 types associated with current reference strains. Here we present the complete nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of VP3 from UK rotavirus (VP7 type 6) and compare it to the published sequences of SA114fm and RV-5. We also compare the deduced amino acid sequence covering the trypsin cleavage region of UK VP3 to 25 other available sequences. The UK protein is clearly different from that of bovine NCDV (another commonly used VP7 type 6 strain) and represents a second VP3 type associated with bovine rotaviruses. Our SA11 sequence differs from that determined by Lopez et al. [1985, Virology 144, 11-19; later referred to as SA114fM by Lopez et al. (1986, Virology 154, 224-227], their sequence being very similar to the published sequence of NCDV VP3. The significance of these results with regard to virus serotypes is discussed. Finally, in analyzing the nucleotide sequence surrounding the initiation codon, a potential hairpin-loop structure was identified which may be involved in translational regulation.

The rhesus rotavirus gene encoding protein VP3: location of amino acids involved in homologous and heterologous rotavirus neutralization and identification of a putative fusion region

The complete gene 4 nucleotide sequence was determined for rhesus rotavirus and each of 11 viral variants selected by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Gene 4 is 2362 bases in length and encodes a protein, VP3, of 776 amino acids with a calculated Mr of 86,500. A conserved trypsin cleavage site, located at amino acid 247, divides VP3 into VP8 and VP5. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies directed at VP3 were used to select variants that escaped neutralization. Each variant contains a single gene 4 mutation that permits viral growth in the presence of the antibody. Variant mutations were identified in six distinct neutralization regions in VP8 and VP5. Five of the six neutralization regions were found in VP8. The VP8 regions were primarily associated with strain-specific or limited heterotypic rotavirus neutralization. One region was identified in VP5 by three monoclonal antibodies that neutralize a broad range of rotavirus serotypes. The VP5 neutralization region is largely hydrophobic and is similar to putative fusion sequences of Sindbis and Semliki Forest viruses.

Computer assisted size measurement on a digitising tablet of nucleic acid and protein molecules from gels

A method is presented for the rapid and convenient determination of molecular weight or chain length of macromolecules from their electrophoretic mobility on gels, using a computer-controlled digitising tablet. A novel feature is accurate compensation for 'smile' or 'frown' profiles as well as for the possible splay or curvature of lanes. A family of monotonic, asymptotic, generalised quadratics is calculated to fit locally the known values in a marker track, and a weighting function is then applied to these enveloping curves so that the prediction algorithm simulates the interpolation of unknown values from a smooth graph drawn through the known bands. Results for double stranded DNA, single and double stranded RNA, and protein molecules are given. The average error of the predicted values against the known molecular sizes was 0.2% for dsDNA, 1.7% for dsRNA, 0.7% for ssRNA and 3.6% for protein molecules.

Marked sequence variation between segment 4 genes of human RV-5 and simian SA 11 rotaviruses

The complete nucleotide sequence of dsRNA gene segment 4 of a human serotype 2 rotavirus, RV-5, was determined by sequencing overlapping cloned DNA copies of the gene. Segment 4 is 2359 base pairs in length and contains a single long open reading frame of 2325 bases capable of coding for a protein of 775 amino acids, with 5' and 3' non coding regions of 9 and 25 nucleotides respectively. Comparison with SA 11 segment 4 sequence reveals a moderately conserved trypsin cut site and an overall amino acid homology of 69.8 percent. One localized region of 126 amino acids is only 37.8 percent homologous. Localized frame shifts account for some of this variation, but at the nucleotide level the segment 4 sequences show more variability than other rotavirus genes that have been studied so far.

Molecular weight determination of the two segments of double-stranded RNA of infectious bursal disease virus, a member of the birnavirus group

The molecular weights (mol. wts.) of the two double-stranded (ds) RNA segments of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were determined using previously sequenced reovirus genes M3 and S2 as internal ds RNA reference molecules. Electrophoresis under fully denaturing conditions revealed mol. wts. of 2.26 X 10(6) daltons and 1.98 X 10(6) daltons. By direct length measurements under the electron microscope, using two different spreading conditions, the two segments were calculated to be composed of 3274 +/- 79 base pairs (bp) and 2821 +/- 59 bp or 3299 +/- 68 bp and 2830 +/- 73 bp, resulting in mol. wts. of 2.24-2.26 X 10(6) daltons and 1.93-1.94 X 10(6) daltons, respectively. Base pair distances of 2.67 +/- 0.08 A and 2.71 +/- 0.11 A in ds RNA were close to those of the A-RNA form; in ds DNA included as a control, the rise per base pair was 3.18 A, which is consistent with published results. Mol. wts. obtained for IBDV indicate that the RNAs of the other birnaviruses are also smaller than reported.

The stiffness of dsRNA: hydrodynamic studies on fluorescence-labelled RNA segments of bovine rotavirus

The sedimentation coefficients of dsRNA segments of bovine rotavirus were determined in the analytical ultracentrifuge. The eleven segments were separated by preparative gel electrophoresis, and isolated by elution from gel pieces. The RNA was labelled by the intercalating fluorescent dye ethidium bromide at a ratio bound dye per base pair between 0.003 to 0.018. The analytical ultracentrifuge was equipped with a fluorescence recording optics. Sedimentation coefficients could be determined with amounts of RNA as little as 8 ng. All sedimentation coefficients were extrapolated to zero-concentration, zero-dye binding, and zero-impurities from the preparative gel electrophoresis. The hydrodynamic model of flexible cylinders was applied for the interpretation of the sedimentation coefficients. All dsRNA segments of rotavirus (663-3409 base pairs) and the dsRNA5 of cucumber mosaic virus (335 base pairs) fit the model of a "worm-like" or flexible cylinder with a persistence length of 1125 A and a hydrated diameter of 30 A. The results are compared with data from the literature on the persistence lengths of the B- and Z-forms of dsDNA and of viroids.

Structural homologies between RNA gene segments 10 and 11 from UK bovine, simian SA11, and human Wa rotaviruses

The nucleotide sequences of gene segments 10 and 11 from UK bovine rotavirus have been determined. Gene 10 is 751 nucleotides long and contains a single long open reading frame capable of coding for a protein of 175 amino acids. When compared with the published data for gene 10 of the simian rotavirus SA11 and human Wa strains it was found to be more closely related to the SA11 structure (92% nucleotide sequence homology; 97% amino acid sequence homology) than to the human Wa structure (84% nucleotide, 86% amino acid sequence homology). All three strains have two potential N-glycosylation sites in the hydrophobic N terminus of the gene 10 protein. Gene 11 from UK bovine rotavirus is 667 nucleotides long with a single long open reading frame capable of coding for a protein of 198 amino acids. When compared with the published sequence of gene 11 from the human rotavirus Wa, the UK bovine rotavirus gene 11 was found to be one nucleotide longer in the 5'-noncoding region and three nucleotides longer in the coding region. The nucleotide sequence homology was 86%. The predicted proteins coded by segment 11 in UK and Wa rotaviruses are both rich in serine and threonine (23%) and very hydrophilic, but differ appreciably in amino acid sequence (83% homology).

Molecular cloning and characterization of the genome of wound tumor virus: a tumor-inducing plant reovirus

The double-stranded RNA genome of the tumor-inducing plant pathogen, wound tumor virus, was converted to double-stranded DNA and cloned into plasmid pBR322. Multiple apparent full-length copies of 9 of the 12 wound tumor virus genome segments were identified. The entire sequence of cloned genome segment S12, the smallest of the genome segments, was determined. This genome segment was found to be 851 nucleotides in length and to possess a single long open reading frame that extends 178 codons from the first AUG triplet (residues 35-37): information sufficient to encode a protein of the size estimated for the smallest of the previously identified wound tumor virus primary gene products, Pns 12. Sequence data obtained from analysis of cloned cDNA copies of several genome segments and from direct analysis of the 3' termini of the double-stranded genome RNAs revealed that each wound tumor virus genome segment possesses the common terminal sequences: (+) 5'GGUAUU ... UGAU 3' (-) 3'CCAUAA ... ACUA 5'.

The characterization and molecular cloning of the double-stranded RNA genome of an Australian strain of infectious bursal disease virus

The genome of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strain 002-73 was found to consist of two segments of double-stranded (ds) RNA which were 3400 bp (MW 2.06 X 10(6)) and 2900 bp (MW 1.76 X 10(6)) long, respectively. The ds IBDV RNA could be translated, in vitro, only after extensive denaturation. The small RNA segment was found to code for a single polypeptide of MW 90K, while the large RNA segment coded for three major polypeptides of MW 52K, 32K, and 28K, and two minor polypeptides of MW 41K and 16K. The large RNA segment could encode proteins of MW 125K while the MW of the translated products was 169K suggesting that a precursor-product relationship exists between some of the translation products. A method is described for the synthesis of ds cDNA from large ds RNA molecules. Analyses of recombinant colonies showed that inserts covering the entire IBDV genome had been cloned.

Rise per base pair in helices of double-stranded rotavirus RNA determined by electron microscopy

Regular helices of double-stranded RNA occur in nature only as the genome of certain viruses. The structure of such double-stranded RNA helices has been little studied compared to that of DNA, but some X-ray crystallographic data (Arnott, 1970; Saenger, 1984) are available. The recent advent of sequence data of bovine rotavirus RNA (Dyall-Smith et al., 1983; Elleman et al., 1983; Ward et al., 1984) has enabled us to determine by direct measurement of electron micrographs the translation, or axial distance between base pairs in RNA duplexes. Using two different spreading conditions we obtained values of 2.79 +/- 0.10 and 2.80 +/- 0.11 A. These results are consistent with the 11-fold A RNA (Arnott, 1970; Rosenberg et al., 1976) proposed for the conformation of double-stranded RNA. We included both circular and linear molecules of phi X174 RF DNA in the same preparations, and the translations for these molecules were between 3.23 +/- 0.06 and 3.29 +/- 0.05 A. Thus, double-stranded RNA contained 1.16 to 1.17 times more nucleotides per unit length than DNA.

Cloning of bovine rotavirus (RF strain): nucleotide sequence of the gene coding for the major capsid protein

The genes of the RF strain of bovine rotavirus have been cloned into pBR 322 following the synthesis and hybridization of cDNA transcribed from both strands of in vitro polyadenylated genomic RNA. Cloned rotavirus DNAs were assigned to most of the 11 genomic RNA segments by Northern blot hybridization. The complete sequence of gene 6 that codes for the major inner capsid protein has been determined. The gene is 1356 nucleotides long and possesses an unique long open reading frame that could encode a protein (397 amino acids) of similar size to the known gene 6 product. Comparison of the RF bovine rotavirus gene 6 sequence with the sequence of the simian rotavirus gene 6, showed these genes to be very similar in nucleotide sequence (87% homology). Most of the base changes are silent and the predicted amino acid sequences are almost identical (97% homology).

The molecular biology of rotaviruses. VII. Detailed structural analysis of gene 10 of bovine rotavirus

cDNA cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis have allowed detailed structural studies on RNA segment 10 of the U.K. bovine rotavirus to be undertaken. The complete sequence of 751 nucleotides was determined and found to contain only a single long open reading frame capable of coding for a protein of 175 amino acids. The gene has an unusually long 3' untranslated region of 184 nucleotides or some 24.5% of the total sequence, whose start was confirmed by analysing the carboxyterminal amino acid of the gene 10 product, the glycoprotein VP10c. Analysis of purified virions radio-labelled with [3H]glucosamine and [3H]mannose showed that VP10c is not a detectable component of the virus particle. The two potential glycosylation sites were found to be very close to the amino terminus of the putative translation product, strongly suggesting that the glycoprotein VP10c does not contain a cleavable signal sequence.

Nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the serotype-specific antigen of human (Wa) rotavirus: comparison with the homologous genes from simian SA11 and UK bovine rotaviruses

The nucleotide sequence of human (Wa) rotavirus genome segment 9, which encodes the serotype-specific antigen VP7, has been determined. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of Wa VP7 protein to the sequences of simian SA11 and UK bovine VP7 proteins shows that the majority of the amino acid differences are clustered between amino acid residues 37 through 49, 65 through 75, 87 through 105, 122 through 126, 146 through 149, 178 through 181, and 208 through 242. A hydrophilicity profile of the three proteins reveals correlations between hydrophilic peaks, potentially antigenic determinants, and certain clusters of amino acid changes.

Sequence homology between human and animal rotavirus serotype-specific glycoproteins

The dsRNA gene segment coding for the major outer shell glycoprotein of a human rotavirus (Hu/Australia/5/77, serotype 2) was converted into DNA and cloned into the PstI site of the plasmid pBR322. The cloned gene was sequenced and found to be 1062 bp long with one long open reading frame capable of coding for a protein 326 amino-acids. When this gene sequence was compared to the published sequences of the corresponding genes of two animal rotaviruses, SA11 (simian) and UK (bovine), all three were found to be closely related (74-78%). The predicted amino-acid sequences of the three genes were also highly conserved (75-86%), despite the fact that the three viruses belong to different serotypes.

Nucleotide sequence of gene segment 9 encoding a nonstructural protein of UK bovine rotavirus

A full-length ds cDNA copy of UK bovine rotavirus gene segment 9, which codes for a nonstructural protein, has been cloned into the PstI site of pBR322, and its sequence has been determined by cloning into bacteriophage M13mp8. Gene 9 is 1076 nucleotides long and contains a single, long, open-reading frame capable of coding for a protein of 313 amino acid residues. The possible function of this nonstructural protein in virus replication is discussed.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the simian rotavirus gene 6 that codes for the major inner capsid protein

The nucleotide sequence of the gene that codes for the major inner capsid protein of the simian rotavirus SA11 has been determined. A DNA copy of mRNA from gene 6 was cloned in the E. coli plasmid pBR322. The full-length gene is 1357 nucleotides long with a 5'-noncoding region of 23 nucleotides and a 3'-noncoding region of 140 nucleotides. The gene contains a single, long, open reading-frame of 1194 nucleotides capable of coding for a protein of 397 amino acids with a molecular weight of 44,816. The predicted protein product is relatively proline-rich with a net charge at neutral pH of -3.5. One stretch of 53 amino acids (encoded by nucleotides 327-485) is basic.