SEQUENCE COMPARISON OF THE VP7 GENE ENCODING THE OUTER CAPSID GLYCOPROTEIN AMONG ANIMAL AND HUMAN GROUP C ROTAVIRUSES

摘要

The nucleotide sequences of the outer capsid glycoprotein (VP7) genes from the Shintoku bovine and the HF and WH porcine group C rotaviruses were determined and compared with those of the published corresponding genes from the Cowden porcine and Ehime human group C rotaviruses. The VP7 genes of all 5 strains were 1063 nucleotides in length and possess one open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 332 amino acids. Comparative analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences indicated that 85.2-97.0 identity was observed for the VP7 of the serotypically related strains of group C rotaviruses (Cowden, WH and Ehime) whereas 69.9-74.7 identity was observed among the serotypically distinct strains (Shintoku; Cowden, WH and Ehime; and HF). At least 8 variable regions in the VP7 were recognized among serotypically distinct strains, and these locations were similar to those of the variable regions in the VP7 of group A rotaviruses.