Rotavirus VP4 and VP7 capsid proteins (VP4/VP7)

Rotavirus VP4 and VP7 are the two primary proteins forming the outer capsid of the rotavirus virion, which is the leading cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young children globally [1]. VP4 is a protease-sensitive spike protein that mediates viral attachment to host cell receptors, such as sialic acids or histo-blood group antigens, and facilitates membrane penetration [2]. VP7 is a calcium-binding glycoprotein that forms the outer shell's surface and plays a critical role in the structural integrity of the virion and the entry process [4]. These two proteins are the major targets of the host's neutralizing antibody response and define the virus's dual classification system: G-types (VP7) and P-types (VP4) [2]. Current preventative strategies rely heavily on live-attenuated vaccines, such as Rotarix and RotaTeq, which present these antigens to the immune system to elicit protective IgA and IgG responses [3]. Beyond vaccines, these proteins are targets for the development of passive immunization strategies using monoclonal antibodies or nanobodies to block viral infection [4]. [1] StatPearls: Rotavirus (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558954/); [2] Settembre, E. C., et al. (2011). Atomic model of an infectious rotavirus particle. EMBO Journal, 30(2), 408–416; [3] Burny, W., et al. (2014). Rotavirus-specific cytotoxic T cell responses. Vaccine, 32(27), 3341-3343; [4] Crawford, S. E., et al. (2017). Rotavirus infection. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 3, 17083.

Other names

Outer capsid proteinsVP4 spike proteinVP7 glycoproteinG-antigenP-antigenVP4/VP7 complex

Induction of neutralizing antibodies (IgA and IgG) that target the VP4 and VP7 proteins to block viral attachment and entry into intestinal epithelial cells.