Rotavirus A VP4 spike protein (VP4)

Rotavirus A VP4 is a surface spike protein that plays a pivotal role in viral infectivity, host cell attachment, and membrane penetration (UniProt P12473). It is biochemically characterized as a protease-sensitive protein that must be cleaved by trypsin-like enzymes into VP5* and VP8* subunits to become active (PubMed: 16439532). The VP8* domain is the primary determinant of the virus's P-genotype (P specificity) and functions as a lectin, binding to specific host cell receptors such as sialic acids or histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) (PubMed: 22532682). This interaction is a major factor in determining the host range and tissue tropism of different rotavirus strains (PubMed: 24009441). Because VP4 is a major target for neutralizing antibodies, it is a key focus for vaccine design and the development of antiviral agents intended to inhibit the early stages of the viral life cycle (PubMed: 28137898).

Other names

VP4Spike proteinP-genotype determinantProtease-sensitive proteinVP8*VP5*

Vaccines induce neutralizing antibodies that target the VP4 spike protein, specifically the VP8* domain, to block viral attachment to host cell receptors like histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), thereby preventing infection (PubMed: 28137898).