Norovirus recombination in ORF1/ORF2 overlap

Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Jul;11(7):1079-85. doi: 10.3201/eid1107.041273.

Abstract

Norovirus (NoV) genogroups I and II (GI and GII) are now recognized as the predominant worldwide cause of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in humans. Three recombinant NoV GII isolates were identified and characterized, 2 of which are unrelated to any previously published recombinant NoV. Using data from the current study, published sequences, database searches, and molecular techniques, we identified 23 recombinant NoV GII and 1 recombinant NoV GI isolates. Analysis of the genetic relationships among the recombinant NoV GII isolates identified 9 independent recombinant sequences; the other 14 strains were close relatives. Two of the 9 independent recombinant NoV were closely related to other recombinants only in the polymerase region, and in a similar fashion 1 recombinant NoV was closely related to another only in the capsid region. Breakpoint analysis of recombinant NoV showed that recombination occurred in the open reading frame (ORF)1/ORF2 overlap. We provide evidence to support the theory of the role of subgenomic RNA promoters as recombination hotspots and describe a simple mechanism of how recombination might occur in NoV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caliciviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology
  • Gastroenteritis / virology
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • New South Wales / epidemiology
  • Norovirus / genetics*
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins