Norovirus

Name: Recombinant Norovirus Group-1 Capsid

Background:

Human noroviruses are divided into two groups, Group 1 and Group 2. Norovirus belongs to Group 1 and was discovered in Ohio in 1968. Norovirus is a common virus that causes gastroenteritis in humans, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. The CDC reports that 19-21 million Americans are infected with norovirus each year, causing 800 deaths and 1 in 15 infections. Worldwide, the virus affects approximately 267 million people and causes more than 200,000 deaths annually; most of these deaths occur in less developed countries and among the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised, although most cases are self-limiting, with only a few days of full recovery. Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread from person to person through contaminated food, water or surfaces. Outbreaks typically occur from November to April, with a peak in January.

Norovirus, a 7.5-kb nucleotide positive-sense RNA virus, encodes a major structural protein, VP1, of 50-55 kDa. The full-length VP1 capsid consists of the internal N-terminus, hinge, shell, and protrusion (P) domains. The P structural domains from 225 to 520 form the P1-P2-P1 structure. In addition, the P structural domain has a receptor binding region that recognizes human tissue blood group antigens (HBGAs). The P structural domain expressed in bacteria can spontaneously form a P dimer and a P particle aggregated from 12 P dimers, which has a higher binding activity for HBGAs than the virus-like particles (VLPs) formed by the full-length capsid. We believe that the P structural domain is a good candidate structural domain for the development of a norovirus vaccine.

Product Description:

Recombinant norovirus type 1 capsid, Escherichia coli, is a 7.5 kb nucleotide-positive RNA virus encoding a major structural protein, VP1, with a structural protein of 50-55 kDa and a VP2 protein.The full-length VP1 capsid protein is derived from group 1 norovirus. The protein was fused to six His tags at the N-terminus and purified by chromatographic techniques.