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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Plaque Assay for Murine Norovirus
Published on: August 22, 2012
Molecular characterization of three novel murine noroviruses
Charlie C Hsu1, Lela K Riley, Robert S Livingston
1Research Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, 1600 East Rollins Road, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA. hsuc@missouri.edu
Abstract:
Murine noroviruses (MNV) comprise a group of newly recognized pathogens infecting laboratory mice. The first reported murine norovirus, murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1), produces a transient infection with a short duration of fecal shedding after infection of immunocompetent laboratory mice. Our laboratory subsequently isolated three novel murine noroviruses, murine norovirus 2 (MNV-2), murine norovirus 3 (MNV-3), and murine norovirus 4 (MNV-4), that have markedly different pathogenicity from MNV-1 by producing persistent infections and prolonged fecal shedding in infected immunocompetent mice. In this study, the nucleotide sequences and the predicted amino acid sequences of the three novel murine noroviruses were determined and compared to each other, MNV-1, and other previously described human and animal noroviruses. The three novel murine norovirus strains were shown to be related to each other and MNV-1 by sequence and phylogenetic analysis even though MNV-2, MNV-3 and MNV-4 all display markedly different biologic behavior from that of MNV-1.
Insights
Three novel murine noroviruses (MNV-2, MNV-3, MNV-4) were identified, exhibiting persistent infections and prolonged shedding in mice. Sequence analysis confirmed their relation to MNV-1, despite differing biological behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Murine noroviruses (MNV) are newly identified pathogens affecting laboratory mice.
- MNV-1 causes transient infections with short fecal shedding.
- Novel MNV strains (MNV-2, MNV-3, MNV-4) exhibit persistent infections and prolonged shedding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare nucleotide and amino acid sequences of novel MNV strains.
- To analyze the phylogenetic relationship of MNV-2, MNV-3, and MNV-4 with MNV-1 and other noroviruses.
Main Methods:
- Nucleotide sequencing of novel MNV strains.
- Amino acid sequence prediction and comparison.
- Phylogenetic analysis.
Main Results:
- MNV-2, MNV-3, and MNV-4 were found to be related to each other and MNV-1 through sequence and phylogenetic analysis.
- Despite genetic relatedness, these novel strains display significantly different biological behaviors compared to MNV-1.
- Persistent infections and prolonged fecal shedding characterize the novel MNV strains.
Conclusions:
- The study identified and characterized novel murine norovirus strains with distinct pathogenic profiles.
- Sequence and phylogenetic analyses confirm the genetic relatedness of these novel strains to existing MNV.
- Understanding these genetic and biologic differences is crucial for murine norovirus research.
