Development of a Gaussia luciferase-based human norovirus protease reporter system: cell type-specific profile of Norwalk virus protease precursors and evaluation of inhibitors.

UNLABELLED: Norwalk virus (NV) is the prototype strain of human noroviruses (HuNoVs), a group of positive-strand RNA viruses in the Caliciviridae family and the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Investigation of HuNoV replication and development of antiviral therapeutics in cell culture remain challenging tasks. Here, we present NoroGLuc, a HuNoV protease reporter system based on a fusion of NV p41 protein with a naturally secreted Gaussia luciferase (GLuc), linked by the p41/p22 cleavage site for NV protease (Pro). trans cleavage of NoroGLuc by NV Pro or Pro precursors results in release and secretion of an active GLuc. Using this system, we observed a cell type-specific activity profile of NV Pro and Pro precursors, suggesting that the activity of NV Pro is modulated by other viral proteins in the precursor forms and strongly influenced by cellular factors. NoroGLuc was also cleaved by Pro and Pro precursors generated from replication of NV stool RNA in transfected cells, resulting in a measurable increase of secreted GLuc. Truncation analysis revealed that the N-terminal membrane association domain of NV p41 is critical for NoroGLuc activity. Although designed for NV, a genogroup GI.1 norovirus, NoroGLuc also efficiently detects Pro activities from GII.3 and GII.4 noroviruses. At noncytotoxic concentrations, protease inhibitors ZnCl2 and Nα-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory effects on a GII.4 Pro by NoroGLuc assay. These results establish NoroGLuc as a pan-genogroup HuNoV protease reporter system that can be used for the study of HuNoV proteases and precursors, monitoring of viral RNA replication, and evaluation of antiviral agents. IMPORTANCE: Human noroviruses are the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral drugs available to counter these highly contagious viruses. These viruses are currently noncultivatable in cell culture. Here, we report the development of a novel cell-based reporter system called NoroGLuc that can be used for studying norovirus replication and also for screening/evaluation of antiviral agents. This system is based on the fusion between viral protein p41 and a naturally secreted Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) with a cleavage site that can be recognized by the viral protease. Cleavage of this fusion protein by the viral protease results in the release and secretion of an active GLuc. Using NoroGLuc, we demonstrated a cell type-specific activity profile of the viral protease and its precursors and dose-dependent inhibitory effects of two protease inhibitors. This novel reporter system should be useful in probing norovirus replication and evaluating antiviral agents.

Chemical derivatives of a small molecule deubiquitinase inhibitor have antiviral activity against several RNA viruses.

Most antiviral treatment options target the invading pathogen and unavoidably encounter loss of efficacy as the pathogen mutates to overcome replication restrictions. A good strategy for circumventing drug resistance, or for pathogens without treatment options, is to target host cell proteins that are utilized by viruses during infection. The small molecule WP1130 is a selective deubiquitinase inhibitor shown previously to successfully reduce replication of noroviruses and some other RNA viruses. In this study, we screened a library of 31 small molecule derivatives of WP1130 to identify compounds that retained the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of the parent compound in vitro but exhibited improved drug-like properties, particularly increased aqueous solubility. Seventeen compounds significantly reduced murine norovirus infection in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, with four causing decreases in viral titers that were similar or slightly better than WP1130 (1.9 to 2.6 log scale). Antiviral activity was observed following pre-treatment and up to 1 hour postinfection in RAW 264.7 cells as well as in primary bone marrow-derived macrophages. Treatment of the human norovirus replicon system cell line with the same four compounds also decreased levels of Norwalk virus RNA. No significant cytotoxicity was observed at the working concentration of 5 µM for all compounds tested. In addition, the WP1130 derivatives maintained their broad-spectrum antiviral activity against other RNA viruses, Sindbis virus, LaCrosse virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, and Tulane virus. Thus, altering structural characteristics of WP1130 can maintain effective broad-spectrum antiviral activity while increasing aqueous solubility.

The viral polymerase inhibitor 2'-C-methylcytidine inhibits Norwalk virus replication and protects against norovirus-induced diarrhea and mortality in a mouse model.

Human noroviruses are a major cause of food-borne illness, accountable for 50% of all-etiologies outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (in both developing and developed countries). There is no vaccine or antiviral drug for the prophylaxis or treatment of norovirus-induced gastroenteritis. We recently reported the inhibitory effect of 2'-C-methylcytidine (2CMC), a hepatitis C virus polymerase inhibitor, on the in vitro replication of murine norovirus (MNV). Here we evaluated the inhibitory effect of 2CMC on in vitro human norovirus replication through a Norwalk virus replicon model and in a mouse model by using AG129 mice orally infected with MNV. Survival, weight, and fecal consistency were monitored, and viral loads in stool samples and organs were quantified. Intestines were examined histologically. 2CMC reduced Norwalk virus replicon replication in a dose-dependent manner and was able to clear cells of the replicon. Treatment of MNV-infected AG129 mice with 2CMC (i) prevented norovirus-induced diarrhea; (ii) markedly delayed the appearance of viral RNA and reduced viral RNA titers in the intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, lungs, and stool; (iii) completely prevented virus-induced mortality; and (iv) resulted in protective immunity against a rechallenge. We demonstrate for the first time that a small-molecule inhibitor of norovirus replication protects from virus-induced disease and mortality in a relevant animal model. These findings pave the way for the development of potent and safe antivirals as prophylaxis and therapy of norovirus infection.

Expression and assembly of Norwalk virus-like particles in plants using a viral RNA silencing suppressor gene.

Binary vector-based transient expression of heterologous proteins in plants is a very attractive strategy due to the short time required for proceeding from planning to expression. However, this expression system is limited by comparatively lower yields due to strong post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in the host plants. The aim of this study was to optimize a procedure for expression of norovirus virus-like particles (VLPs) in plants using a binary vector with co-expression of a PTGS suppressor to increase the yield of the target protein. The effects of four plant viral PTGS suppressors on protein expression were evaluated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter. Constructs for both GFP and PTGS suppressor genes were co-infiltrated in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, and the accumulation of GFP was evaluated. The most effective PTGS suppressor was the 126K protein of Pepper mild mottle virus. Therefore, this suppressor was selected as the norovirus capsid gene co-expression partner for subsequent studies. The construct containing the major (vp1) and minor capsid (vp2) genes with a 3'UTR produced a greater amount of protein than the construct with the major capsid gene alone. Thus, the vp1-vp2-3'UTR and 126K PTGS suppressor constructs were co-infiltrated at middle scale and VLPs were purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Proteins of the expected size, specific to the norovirus capsid antibody, were observed by Western blot. VLPs were observed by transmission electron microscopy. It was concluded that protein expression in a binary vector co-expressed with the 126K PTGS suppressor protein enabled superior expression and assembly of norovirus VLPs.

Norovirus infectivity in humans and persistence in water.

To examine the long-term infectivity of human norovirus in water, 13 study subjects were challenged at different time points with groundwater spiked with the prototype human norovirus, Norwalk virus. Norwalk virus spiked in groundwater remained infectious after storage at room temperature in the dark for 61 days (the last time point tested). The Norwalk virus-seeded groundwater was stored for 1,266 days and analyzed, after RNase treatment, by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to detect Norwalk virus RNA contained within intact capsids. Norwalk virus RNA within intact capsids was detected in groundwater for 1,266 days, with no significant log(10) reduction throughout 427 days and a significant 1.10-log(10) reduction by day 1266. Purified Norwalk virus RNA (extracted from Norwalk virus virions) persisted for 14 days in groundwater, tap water, and reagent-grade water. This study demonstrates that Norwalk virus in groundwater can remain detectable for over 3 years and can remain infectious for at least 61 days. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00313404.).

Binding of virus-like particles of Norwalk virus to romaine lettuce veins.

Noroviruses (NoV) annually cause millions of cases of gastrointestinal disease in the United States. NoV are associated with raw shellfish outbreaks, particularly oysters, which are thought to bioaccumulate NoV particles during the filter-feeding process. NoV outbreaks, however, have also been known to occur from other common-source food-borne vehicles, such as lettuce, frozen raspberries, and salad. In this study, we evaluated romaine lettuce as a potential vehicle for NoV transmission by testing the binding and distribution of NoV to the surface of romaine. Recombinant Norwalk virus-like particles (rNVLP) applied to the surface of romaine lettuce localized as large clusters primarily on the leaf veins. An extract of romaine lettuce leaves in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (romaine extract [RE]) bound rNVLP in a dose-dependent manner. RE did not bind rNVLP by histo-blood group antigens (HBGA), nor was RE competitive with rNVLP binding to porcine gastric mucin. These results suggested that non-HBGA molecules in RE bind rNVLP by a binding site(s) that is different from the defined binding pocket on the virion. Extracts of cilantro, iceberg lettuce, spinach, and celery also bound rNVLP. Samples of each of the vegetables spiked with rNVLP and tested with anti-NVLP antibody revealed by confocal microscopy the presence of rNVLP not only on the veins of cilantro but also throughout the surface of iceberg lettuce.

Inhibition of cellular protein secretion by norwalk virus nonstructural protein p22 requires a mimic of an endoplasmic reticulum export signal.

Protein trafficking between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus is central to cellular homeostasis. ER export signals are utilized by a subset of proteins to rapidly exit the ER by direct uptake into COPII vesicles for transport to the Golgi. Norwalk virus nonstructural protein p22 contains a YXΦESDG motif that mimics a di-acidic ER export signal in both sequence and function. However, unlike normal ER export signals, the ER export signal mimic of p22 is necessary for apparent inhibition of normal COPII vesicle trafficking, which leads to Golgi disassembly and antagonism of Golgi-dependent cellular protein secretion. This is the first reported function for p22. Disassembly of the Golgi apparatus was also observed in cells replicating Norwalk virus, which may contribute to pathogenesis by interfering with cellular processes that are dependent on an intact secretory pathway. These results indicate that the ER export signal mimic is critical to the antagonistic function of p22, shown herein to be a novel antagonist of ER/Golgi trafficking. This unique and well-conserved human norovirus motif is therefore an appealing target for antiviral drug development.

Norwalk virus does not replicate in human macrophages or dendritic cells derived from the peripheral blood of susceptible humans.

Human noroviruses are difficult to study due to the lack of an efficient in vitro cell culture system or small animal model. Murine norovirus replicates in murine macrophages (MPhi) and dendritic cells (DCs), raising the possibility that human NoVs might replicate in such human cell types. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated DCs and MPhi derived from monocyte subsets and CD11c(+) DCs isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of individuals susceptible to Norwalk virus (NV) infection. These cells were exposed to NV and replication was evaluated by immunofluorescence and by quantitative RT-PCR. A few PBMC-derived DCs expressed NV proteins. However, NV RNA did not increase in any of the cells tested. These results demonstrate that NV does not replicate in human CD11c(+) DCs, monocyte-derived DCs and MPhi, but abortive infection may occur in a few DCs. These results suggest that NV tropism is distinct from that of murine noroviruses.

Norwalk virus assembly and stability monitored by mass spectrometry.

Viral capsid assembly, in which viral proteins self-assemble into complexes of well defined architecture, is a fascinating biological process. Although viral structure and assembly processes have been the subject of many excellent structural biology studies in the past, questions still remain regarding the intricate mechanisms that underlie viral structure, stability, and assembly. Here we used native mass spectrometry-based techniques to study the structure, stability, and assembly of Norwalk virus-like particles. Although detailed structural information on the fully assembled capsid exists, less information is available on potential capsid (dis)assembly intermediates, largely because of the inherent heterogeneity and complexity of the disassembly pathways. We used native mass spectrometry and atomic force microscopy to investigate the (dis)assembly of the Norwalk virus-like particles as a function of solution pH, ionic strength, and VP1 protein concentration. Native MS analysis at physiological pH revealed the presence of the complete capsid (T = 3) consisting of 180 copies of VP1. The mass of these capsid particles extends over 10 million Da, ranking them among the largest protein complexes ever analyzed by native MS. Although very stable under acidic conditions, the capsid was found to be sensitive to alkaline treatment. At elevated pH, intermediate structures consisting of 2, 4, 6, 18, 40, 60, and 80 copies of VP1 were observed with the VP1(60) (3.36-MDa) and VP1(80) (4.48-MDa) species being most abundant. Atomic force microscopy imaging and ion mobility mass spectrometry confirmed the formation of these latter midsize spherical particles at elevated pH. All these VP1 oligomers could be reversely assembled into the original capsid (VP1(180)). From the MS data collected over a range of experimental conditions, we suggest a disassembly model in which the T = 3 VP1(180) particles dissociate into smaller oligomers, predominantly dimers, upon alkaline treatment prior to reassembly into VP1(60) and VP1(80) species.

Role of cholesterol pathways in norovirus replication.

Norwalk virus (NV) is a prototype strain of the noroviruses (family Caliciviridae) that have emerged as major causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. I have developed NV replicon systems using reporter proteins such as a neomycin-resistant protein (NV replicon-bearing cells) and a green fluorescent protein (pNV-GFP) and demonstrated that these systems were excellent tools to study virus replication in cell culture. In the present study, I first performed DNA microarray analysis of the replicon-bearing cells to identify cellular factors associated with NV replication. The analysis demonstrated that genes in lipid (cholesterol) or carbohydrate metabolic pathways were significantly (P < 0.001) changed by the gene ontology analysis. Among genes in the cholesterol pathways, I found that mRNA levels of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase, squalene epoxidase, and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), ACAT2, small heterodimer partner, and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-related proteins were significantly changed in the cells. I also found that the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis using statins (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) significantly increased the levels of NV proteins and RNA, whereas inhibitors of ACAT significantly reduced the replication of NV in replicon-bearing cells. Up- or downregulation of virus replication with these agents significantly correlated with the mRNA level of LDLR in replicon-bearing cells. Finally, I found that the expression of LDLR promoted NV replication in trans by transfection study with pNV-GFP. I conclude that the cholesterol pathways such as LDLR expression and ACAT activity may be crucial in the replication of noroviruses in cells, which may provide potential therapeutic targets for viral infection.

Noroviruses distinguish between type 1 and type 2 histo-blood group antigens for binding.

Norovirus (NoV) is a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis. NoV binds to histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), namely, ABH antigens and Lewis (Le) antigens, in which type 1 and type 2 carbohydrate core structures constitute antigenically distinct variants. Norwalk virus, the prototype strain of norovirus, binds to the gastroduodenal junction, and this binding is correlated with the presence of H type 1 antigen but not with that of H type 2 antigen (S. Marionneau, N. Ruvoen, B. Le Moullac-Vaidye, M. Clement, A. Cailleau-Thomas, G. Ruiz-Palacois, P. Huang, X. Jiang, and J. Le Pendu, Gastroenterology 122:1967-1977, 2002). It has been unknown whether NoV distinguishes between the type 1 and type 2 chains of A and B antigens. In this study, we synthesized A type 1, A type 2, B type 1, and B type 2 pentasaccharides in vitro and examined the function of the core structures in the binding between NoV virus-like particles (VLPs) and HBGAs. The attachment of five genogroup I (GI) VLPs from 5 genotypes and 11 GII VLPs from 8 genotypes, GI/1, GI/2, GI/3, GI/4, GI/8, GII/1, GII/3, GII/4, GII/5, GII/6, GII/7, GII/12, and GII/14, to ABH and Le HBGAs was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based binding assays and Biacore analyses. GI/1, GI/2, GI/3, GI/4, GI/8, and GII/4 VLPs were more efficiently bound to A type 2 than A type 1, and GI/8 and GII/4 VLPs were more efficiently bound to B type 2 than B type 1, indicating that NoV VLPs distinguish between type 1 and type 2 carbohydrates. The dissociation of GII/4 VLPs from B type 1 was slower than that from B type 2 in the Biacore experiments; moreover, the binding to B type 1 was stronger than that to B type 2 in the ELISA experiments. These results indicated that the type 1 carbohydrates bind more tightly to NoV VLPs than the type 2 carbohydrates. This property may afford NoV tissue specificity. GII/4 is known to be a global epidemic genotype and binds to more HBGAs than other genotypes. This characteristic may be linked with the worldwide transmission of GII/4 strains. GI/2, GI/3, GI/4, GI/8, GII/4, and GII/7 VLPs bound to Le(a) expressed by nonsecretors, suggesting that NoV can infect individuals regardless of secretor phenotype. Overall, our results indicated that HBGAs are important factors in determining tissue specificity and the risk of transmission.

Norwalk virus RNA is infectious in mammalian cells.

Human noroviruses are positive-sense RNA viruses and are the leading cause of epidemic acute viral gastroenteritis in developed countries. The absence of an in vitro cell culture model for human norovirus infection has limited the development of effective antivirals and vaccines. Human histo-blood group antigens have been regarded as receptors for norovirus infection, and expression of the alpha(1,2) fucosyltransferase gene (FUT2) responsible for the secretor phenotype is required for susceptibility to Norwalk virus (NV) infection. We report for the first time that transfection of NV RNA, isolated from stool samples from human volunteers, into human hepatoma Huh-7 cells leads to viral replication, with expression of viral antigens, RNA replication, and release of viral particles into the medium. Prior treatment of the RNA with proteinase K completely abolishes RNA infectivity, suggesting a key role of an RNA-protein complex. Although overexpression of the human FUT2 gene enhances virus binding to cells, it is not sufficient to allow a complete viral infection, and viral spread from NV-transfected cells to naïve cells does not occur. Finally, no differences in NV RNA replication are observed between Huh-7 and Huh-7.5.1 cells, which contain an inactivating mutation in retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), suggesting that the RIG-I pathway does not play a role in limiting NV replication. Our results strongly suggest that the block(s) to NV replication in vitro is at the stage of receptor and/or coreceptor binding and/or uncoating, either because cells lack some specific factor or activation of cellular antiviral responses independent of RIG-I inhibits virus replication.

Interferons and ribavirin effectively inhibit Norwalk virus replication in replicon-bearing cells.

The development of effective therapies for noroviral gastroenteritis has been hampered by the absence of a cell culture system. Recently, we reported the generation of Norwalk virus (NV) replicon-bearing cells in BHK21 and Huh-7 cells and demonstrated that alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) effectively inhibited the replication of NV in these cells. In continuing studies for screening potential antinoroviral agents, we tested IFN-gamma and ribavirin for their effects on NV replication in the cells. Like IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma inhibited the replication of NV in the replicon-bearing cells, showing the reduction of the NV genome and proteins in a dose-dependent manner. The effective dose for reducing 50% (ED(50)) of the NV genome and protein was calculated to be approximately 40 units/ml. When ribavirin was applied to the cells, it effectively reduced the NV genome and protein with the ED(50) calculated as approximately 40 microM. The combination of IFN-alpha and ribavirin showed additive effects on the inhibition of NV replication. With the addition of guanosine to the ribavirin treatment, moderately reversed antiviral effects were observed, suggesting that the ribavirin effect may be associated with the depletion of GTP in the cells. Sequencing analysis of the conserved polymerase regions of NV in the ribavirin-treated (100 microM) and nontreated groups showed that the mutation rates were similar and indicated that ribavirin did not induce catastrophic mutations. The NV replicon-bearing cells provide an excellent tool for screening potential antinoroviral agents, and our results indicated that IFNs and ribavirin may be good therapeutic options for noroviral gastroenteritis.

Stable expression of a Norwalk virus RNA replicon in a human hepatoma cell line.

Norwalk virus (NV) is a prototype strain of the genus Norovirus in the family Caliciviridae. The human noroviruses have emerged as major agents of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups, but there are no vaccines or antiviral agents partly due to the absence of a cell culture system. We report the generation of cells expressing self-replicating NV RNA (NV replicon) following transfection of NV RNA bearing an engineered neomycin resistance gene into cell lines of human (Huh-7) or hamster (BHK21) origin. Expression of replicon RNA was significantly reduced in the presence of interferon (IFN)-alpha in a dose-dependent manner in the NV replicon-bearing cells, suggesting a role for innate immunity in the control of human norovirus replication. This stable NV replicon system should lead to new insights into norovirus replication, virus-host interactions, and approaches for the treatment of norovirus disease.

Influence of the combined ABO, FUT2, and FUT3 polymorphism on susceptibility to Norwalk virus attachment.

The binding of Norwalk virus (NV) recombinant capsids was tested in a panel of saliva samples collected from 96 donors with different ABO, secretor, and Lewis phenotypes. As previously reported, binding occurred specifically to saliva from secretors, regardless of their Lewis phenotype status. Blood group B saliva was poorly recognized, whereas binding to blood group O saliva was higher and binding to blood group A saliva was highest. Transfection of either blood group A or B enzyme into H epitope-expressing cells showed that masking of H epitopes by the A and B antigens blocked the attachment of NV capsids. The high level of binding to blood group A secretor saliva could be explained by an optimal H type 1 ligand density, which was lower than that in blood group O saliva and much higher than that in blood group B saliva. Indeed, despite a higher ligand density, saliva from homozygotes with 2 functional FUT2 alleles was less strongly recognized than saliva from heterozygotes with 1 functional and 1 inactivated FUT2 allele. Partial fucosidase treatment of duodenal tissue sections and binding to a synthetic probe with varying densities of H type 1 trisaccharide indicated that optimal attachment occurred at medium ligand density.

Replication and packaging of Norwalk virus RNA in cultured mammalian cells.

Human noroviruses, the most common cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis, are characterized by high infectivity rate, low infectious dose, and unusually high stability outside the host. However, human norovirus research is hindered by the lack of a cell culture system and a small animal model of infection. Norwalk virus (NV) is the prototype strain of human noroviruses. We report here replication of NV viral RNA and its packaging into virus particles in mammalian cells by intracellular expression of native forms of NV viral RNA devoid of extraneous nucleotide sequences derived from the expression vector by the use of replication-deficient vaccinia virus MVA encoding the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (MVA/T7). Expressed genomic RNA was found to replicate; NV subgenomic RNA was transcribed from genomic RNA by use of NV nonstructural proteins expressed from genomic RNA and was subsequently translated into NV capsid protein VP1. Viral genomic RNA was packaged into virus particles generated in mammalian cells. The cesium chloride (CsCl) density gradient profile of virus particles containing genomic RNA was similar to that of NV purified from stool. These observations indicate that the NV cDNA constructed here is a biologically infectious clone, and that mammalian cells have the ability to replicate NV genomic RNA. This work establishes a mammalian cell-based system for analysis of human norovirus replication and, thus, makes it feasible to investigate antiviral agents in mammalian cells.

Inhibition of attachment of virions of Norwalk virus to mammalian cells by soluble histone molecules.

Viral infection is usually initiated by the binding of virus particles to specific receptor molecule(s) on the host cell surface. Blocking of this step prevents the following step, penetration into the cell. In the present study, we investigated the virus-cell interactions of virions of Norwalk virus (NV), a major etiological agent for viral diarrhea. We found that histone was an extremely strong NV-binding protein. Histone H1, a heterologous histone molecule, appeared to be able to interact not only with NV particles, but also with the cell surface. Histone H1 appeared capable of effectively preventing the attachment of NV to intestinal cells, but not of other viruses. No cytotoxic effects of histone were observed under the assay conditions. These results indicate that nonsecretory histone molecules may inhibit the attachment of viruses to cells like lactoferrins. Our results suggest that by searching virus-binding molecules, we might find antiviral agents, even for new viruses.

Processing of Norwalk virus nonstructural proteins by a 3C-like cysteine proteinase.

Expression of Norwalk virus nonstructural polyprotein precursor in vitro resulted in rapid cotranslational cleavage at specific sites. The cleavage products were similar to those previously identified for Southampton virus, a highly related virus. We inactivated the virally encoded proteinase responsible for cleavage of the nonstructural polyprotein by mutation of the putative catalytic cysteine residue, which resulted in production of full-length polyprotein precursor. NV proteinase was expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase fusion and purified by GST-affinity chromatography. Activity of the purified proteinase was demonstrated by incubation with the full-length precursor protein. trans cleavage of the nonstructural protein precursor resulted in cleavage products similar to those observed during cotranslational cleavage, however, at lesser efficiency. NV proteinase displayed sensitivities to cysteine and serine protease inhibitors similar to poliovirus 3C proteinase, suggesting that NV proteinase is a member of the viral cysteine proteinase family. We propose that the proteinase may play a regulatory role in viral replication.

Norwalk virus-like particle hemagglutination by binding to h histo-blood group antigens.

Noroviruses are a major cause of epidemic acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Here we report our discovery that recombinant Norwalk virus virus-like particles (rNV VLPs) agglutinate red blood cells (RBCs). Since histo-blood group antigens are expressed on gut mucosa as well as RBCs, we used rNV VLP hemagglutination (HA) as a model system for studying NV attachment to cells in order to help identify a potential NV receptor(s). rNV VLP HA is dependent on low temperature (4 degrees C) and acidic pH. Of the 13 species of RBCs tested, rNV VLPs hemagglutinated only chimpanzee and human RBCs. The rNV VLPs hemagglutinated all human type O (11 of 11), A (9 of 9), and AB (4 of 4) RBCs; however, few human type B RBC samples (4 of 14) were hemagglutinated. HA with periodate- and neuraminidase-treated RBCs indicated that rNV VLP binding was carbohydrate dependent and did not require sialic acid. The rNV VLPs did not hemagglutinate Bombay RBCs (zero of seven) that lack H type 2 antigen, and an anti-H type 2 antibody inhibited rNV VLP HA of human type O RBCs. These data indicated that the H type 2 antigen functions as the rNV VLP HA receptor on human type O RBCs. The rNV VLP HA was also inhibited by rNV VLP-specific monoclonal antibody 8812, an antibody that inhibits VLP binding to Caco-2 cells. Convalescent-phase sera from NV-infected individuals showed increased rNV VLP HA inhibition titers compared to prechallenge sera. In carbohydrate binding assays, the rNV VLPs bound to synthetic Lewis d (Le(d)), Le(b), H type 2, and Le(y) antigens, and these antigens also inhibited rNV VLP HA of human type O RBCs. Overall, our results indicate that carbohydrate antigens in the gut are a previously unrecognized factor in NV pathogenesis.