Sequence analysis of the gene encoding the serotype-specific glycoprotein (VP7) of two new human rotavirus serotypes

Human rotavirus strains 69M and WI61 are distinct from human rotavirus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 and from each other by plaque reduction neutralization and have been proposed as new human rotavirus serotypes (serotype 8 and serotype 9, respectively). The nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the serotype-specific capsid glycoprotein, VP7, of strains 69M and WI61 was determined. In addition, the sequence of the VP7 gene of strain F45 (serotypically indistinguishable from WI61) was determined. Comparative analyses of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences with those of reference strains from serotypes 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 demonstrated that WI61 and F45 share a high degree of sequence similarity with each other and that strains 69M, WI61, and F45 are distinct from established serotypes 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 in nine defined regions of the VP7 which are variable across rotavirus serotypes.