Molecular characterization of VP6‐encoding gene of group A human rotavirus samples from central west region of Brazil

Abstract

Group A rotaviruses are the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. The intermediate capsid protein VP6 encoded by segment 6 of the dsRNA genome is the major structural component of the virus and it is highly antigenic and immunogenic. VP6 is responsible for group and subgroup (SG) specificities, allowing classification of group A rotavirus into SG I, SG II, SG I + II, and SG non-I-non-II. VP6-encoding gene of 154 group A human rotavirus samples of different G and P genotypes recovered from children in three cities of Central West region of Brazil was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Two distinct genetic groups could be recognized: VP6 genogroups I and II. Sequences analysis also revealed that all samples identified as VP6 genogroup I were associated with NSP4 genotype A, whereas samples identified as VP6 genogroup II were associated with NSP4 genotype B. This is the first study in Central West region regarding genetic variability of the VP6 gene. Further molecular surveillance of rotavirus strains is needed to understand better the occurrence of VP6 gene diversity in Brazil and the significance of VP6 for the control and prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Molecular characterization of rotavirus infections in children less than 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran, Iran, 2021–2022: Emergence of uncommon G9P[4] and G9P[8] rotavirus strains

“…Comparably, several reports have previously demonstrated the evidence for genetic linkage between the VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4 genes of RVA, and altogether showed the Wa-like and/or DS-1-like gene constellations. 29,[79][80][81][82] The G1P [4] as a rare and uncommon combination, was also detected in the present study. Considering that the G1 and P [4] F I G U R E 1 Phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequence of the VP6 gene.…”

“…In particular, the mixed and partially genotyped strains indicated the I1‐E1 pattern except for G1P[ x ]‐I2‐E1 strain. Comparably, several reports have previously demonstrated the evidence for genetic linkage between the VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4 genes of RVA, and altogether showed the Wa‐like and/or DS‐1‐like gene constellations 29,79‐82 …”

Molecular characterization of group A rotavirus before and after the introduction of vaccines in Brazil

“…These data corroborate previous studies conducted in Brazil before and after the introduction of RVA vaccines (13) (14) .…”

“…All sequences showed a high identity with Brazilian samples obtained before and after the beginning of RVA vaccination. This pattern of circulation of the VP6 and NSP4 genotypes has been also observed in other studies conducted in Brazil (13) (14) .…”

Molecular characterisation of the NSP4 gene of group A human rotavirus G2P[4] strains circulating in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1994 and 2006 to 2010

“…Many studies have focused on molecular characterisation of the NSP4 gene of HuRVA collected from different regions of Brazil ( Mascarenhas et al 2006 , Araújo et al 2007b, Tavares et al 2008 , Nozawa et al 2010 , Fumian et al 2011 , Gómez et al 2011 ); however, no studies have examined HuRVA strains collected in the state of São Paulo (SP). The aim of this study was to characterise the E genotypes and NSP4 aa sequences of 41 HuRVA strains from SP that were previously identified as G2P[4].…”