title: Human enteric caliciviruses have a unique genome structure and are distinct from the Norwalk-like viruses.
abstract: Classic human enteric caliciviruses (HuCVs) have a distinctive morphology and are primarily associated with pediatric acute gastroenteritis. Although morphologically distinct from the small round structured viruses (SRSVs), the classic HuCVs are thought to be closely related and were anticipated to have a similar genome organisation. We report the first genome sequence and molecular characterisation of a classic human enteric calicivirus associated with a case of acute vomiting and diarrhoea in an infant. The RNA genome (7266 nt) is smaller than the genome of SRSVs from the two genetic groups and has a unique arrangement of open reading frames. Further analysis of the 3' terminal 3 kb from a second unrelated isolate confirmed this genomic organisation. Analysis of capsid and RNA polymerase sequences together with the unique genomic organisation of classic HuCV suggest these viruses are more closely related to the animal caliciviruses than the enteric SRSV group of viruses.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Microbiology Group, University Medical School, Southampton General Hospital, U.K.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Caul
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lambden
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001482:Base Composition; D001483:Base Sequence; D002139:Caliciviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002213:Capsid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000821:virology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009663:Norwalk virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases