title: Production and characterization of virus-like particles and the P domain protein of GII.4 norovirus.
abstract: Noroviruses are an important cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis in humans. In this study the production and characterization of GII.4 norovirus virus-like particles (VLPs) in insect cells is reported. Furthermore, the expression of corresponding norovirus polyhistidine-tagged P domain protein in Escherichia coli is described. The protruding P domain of the norovirus capsid is known to contain determinants for antibody and receptor binding. Therefore, P domain proteins were studied as an alternative diagnostic tool for evaluating norovirus infection. Analyses by dynamic light scattering and cryo-electron microscopy revealed the presence of intact VLPs with an average diameter of about 40 nm. Immunostaining and ELISA assays using norovirus-specific human sera revealed that VLPs and the P domain are recognized by norovirus-specific antibodies and by their putative receptor. The VLPs and P domain protein are potentially useful in the development of diagnostic and vaccination tools for noroviruses.
authors: Institute of Biomedical Technology and BioMediTech, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Biokatu 6, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland.
authors: Tiia
authors: T
authors: Koho
authors: Leena
authors: L
authors: Huhti
authors: Vesna
authors: V
authors: Blazevic
authors: Kirsi
authors: K
authors: Nurminen
authors: Sarah J
authors: SJ
authors: Butcher
authors: Pasi
authors: P
authors: Laurinmäki
authors: Nisse
authors: N
authors: Kalkkinen
authors: Gunilla
authors: G
authors: Rönnholm
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Vesikari
authors: Vesa P
authors: VP
authors: Hytönen
authors: Markku S
authors: MS
authors: Kulomaa