The major structural viral protein, VP1, of the human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV), the causative agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), was expressed by using recombinant baculoviruses. Recombinant VP1 formed virus-like particles (VLP) with the typical morphology of empty JCV capsids. Purified VP1 VLP bind to SVG, B, and T cells, as well as to monkey kidney cells. After bind...

Sixty-six human enterovirus serotypes have been identified by serum neutralization, but the molecular determinants of the serotypes are unknown. Since the picornavirus VP1 protein contains a number of neutralization domains, we hypothesized that the VP1 sequence should correspond with neutralization (serotype) and, hence, with phylogenetic lineage. To test this hypothesis and to analyze the phy...

Polyomavirus late nuclear primary transcripts contain tandem repeats of the late strand of the viral genome, as a result of inefficient transcription termination and polyadenylation. Pre-mRNA processing involves the splicing of short noncoding late leader exons to each other (removing genome-length introns) and the splicing of the last leader to a coding body exon (such as for the major virion ...

Noroviruses are major pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis. They are diverse viruses, with at least six genogroups (GI-GVI) and multiple genotypes defined by differences in the major capsid protein, VP1. This diversity has challenged the development of broadly cross-reactive vaccines as well as efficient detection methods. Here, we report the characterization of a broadly cross-react...

Previous scientific data suggests that enterovirus infections, especially those caused by coxsackieviruses have a role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. One mechanism by which viral infection could initiate or accelerate diabetogenic process in humans is ‘molecular mimicry’, induction of antiviral immune responses which cross-react with self-epitopes in insulin producing β-cells. This stu...

A reverse transcription-seminested PCR (RT-snPCR) assay was developed for the detection and identification of enterovirus (EV) RNA in clinical specimens. Three conserved protein motifs were identified by aligning the VP3 and VP1 sequences of prototype EV strains. Consensus degenerate primers were designed from a conserved VP3 motif and a distal VP1 motif for the first PCR. Consensus-degenerate ...

an agrobacterium-mediated transient gene expression assay was carried out in alfalfa (medicago sativa) leaves for expression of a chimeric gene encoding a part of capsid protein of foot and mouth disease virus called vp1. the plant leaves were transformed via agroinfiltration procedure. the presence of the foreign gene and its expression in transformed plants were evaluated by polymerase chain ...

A new human virus, provisionally named human bocavirus (HBoV), was discovered by Swedish researchers in 2005. A new immunofluorescence assay using Trichoplusia ni insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus expressing the VP1 protein of HBoV was developed, and the levels of immunoglobulin G antibody to the VP1 protein of HBoV in serum samples were measured. The overall seroprevalence r...

Human rhinovirus (HRV) and other members of the enterovirus genus bind small-molecule antiviral compounds in a cavity buried within the viral capsid protein VP1. These compounds block the release of the viral protein VP4 and RNA from inside the capsid during the uncoating process. In addition, the antiviral compounds prevent "breathing" motions, the transient externalization of the N-terminal r...