title: Evidence of conserved epitopes in variable region of VP8* subunit of VP4 protein of rotaviruses of P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages.
abstract: Although antibody responses to the human rotavirus VP4 protein have been reported, few studies have analyzed the specificity of these responses to the VP8* subunit. This study investigated antibody responses generated against the variable region of the VP4 protein (VP8* subunit) in children infected with rotavirus genotype P[8]. Recombinant VP8* subunit (rVP8*) and truncations corresponding aa 1-102 <br />(peptide A) and 84-180 (peptide B) of rotavirus strains P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages were expressed in Escherichia coli and examined for antibody reactivity using ELISA and Western blot assays. Sera from infected children had IgG antibodies that reacted with full-length rVP8*, peptide A and B of both lineages, with stronger reactivity observed against peptide B. In addition, anti-strain Wa (P[8]-1) and anti-rVP8* (P[8]-3) rabbit polyclonal antiserum reacted against peptide B sequences of both lineages. These data indicate that the VP8* variable region of rotavirus belonging to P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages have conserved epitopes recognized by antibodies elicited during natural infections.
authors: Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico. juan.contrerascr@uanl.edu.mx
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Contreras
authors: G E
authors: GE
authors: Menchaca
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Infante
authors: C E
authors: CE
authors: Hernández
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Rodríguez
authors: R S
authors: RS
authors: Tamez
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; C060339:VP4 protein, Rotavirus